{"id":4782,"date":"2018-10-27T08:57:56","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T06:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildlife-travel.com\/?p=4782"},"modified":"2022-05-18T21:39:31","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T19:39:31","slug":"guiana-dolphins-in-the-sepetiba-bay-in-itacuruca-rio-de-janeiro-brazil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildlife-travel.com\/en\/guiana-dolphins-in-the-sepetiba-bay-in-itacuruca-rio-de-janeiro-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"Guiana dolphins in the Sepetiba Bay in Itacuru\u00e7\u00e1, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you follow my blog then you probably know that I have paid much attention to marine mammals in the past on my journeys. I saw wild dolphins for the first time on Tenerife<\/a>. Australia<\/a> and South Africa<\/a> followed where I could observe not only dolphins, but also numerous whales<\/a>. In the coming years as well marine mammals will always get a place on my blog.<\/p>\n

The reason for me is, marine mammals need much attention as their futures does not look good for all of them.<\/p>\n

Like for example the guiana dolphin.<\/p>\n

Although the guiana dolphin can not be listed into any category at the IUCN<\/a> due to lack of data, and thus, its extinction risk cannot be assessed properly, the guina dolphin actually might be already at risk.<\/p>\n

Therefore, it is so important that institutes like the Instituto Boto Cinza<\/a> in Itacuru\u00e7\u00e1 in the state Rio de Janeiro in Brazil investigates and observes the guiana dolphins in the Sepetiba Bay.<\/p>\n

The Sepetiba Bay is a semi-closed bay in the South of the city of Rio de Janeiro. In the previous decades the region has undergone an economic boom with a growing industry. The guiana dolphin, but also the Instituto Boto Cinza are located in Itacuru\u00e7\u00e1, and thus, in the center of a region that most probably will economically further grow in the future.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

Of course, this growing industry led to ecological changes in the habitat of the guiana dolphins and all other numerous marine animals.<\/p>\n

It is not surprising that a study<\/a> found out that the concentration of anorganic pollutants like zinc, cadmium, plumb and mercury that destroy the ecosystem increased dramatically in the Sepetiba Bay.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

In the face of the fact that the industrial developments in the habitat of the guiana dolphins apparently will continue, this article is very important for me. Because when I was in Itacuru\u00e7\u00e1 to participate in a tour with the Instituto Boto Cinza, about 200 guiana dolphins had been already found dead in the Sepetiba Bay. Even the New York Times<\/a> and National Geographic<\/a> reported about these dolphins in an article.<\/p>\n

Guilty is a virus that kill the guiana dolphins.<\/p>\n

We heard about this virus and the deaths of dolphins only when we were in Itacuru\u00e7\u00e1 to participate in a dolphin watching tour with the Instituto Boto Cinza.<\/p>\n

Our dolphin watching tour with the Instituto Boto Cinza started early in the morning at eight in March because during those early morning hours guiana dolphins go fishing.<\/p>\n

We waited at the pier in Itacuru\u00e7\u00e1 for the biologists who guided the tour.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

We were not the only visitors on the dolphin watching boat. A family from Uruguay with four teenagers participated as well in the dolphin watching tour.<\/p>\n

In total we were six visitors and two biologists who led the dolphin watching tour. One of the biologists was the skipper of the boat and the other biologist told us more about the guiana dolphins in the Sepetiba Bay.<\/p>\n

We left and put out to sea.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

After a very short time we spotted the first dorsal fin in the Sepetiba Bay.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

Of course this guiana dolphin was not alone. Almost in the same moment we observed some more dorsal fins at the water surface.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

I saw the faces of the two biologists. They were looking very worriedly into the direction of the dolphins.<\/p>\n

As I mentioned above, about 200 guiana dolphins died in the last few weeks.<\/p>\n

As much as I enjoy when I see dolphins, this time I was also a little bit sad.<\/p>\n

Some dolphins did not look very good.<\/p>\n

You could see the ribs when they appeares at the water surface.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

Both biologists looked attentively to the guiana dolphins.<\/p>\n

They also kept a long distance to the dolphins in order to prevent stress for the dolphins.<\/p>\n

\"Delfine\"<\/p>\n

For the two biologists it is not only a dolphin watching tour, it is another opportunity for them to check the health status of the animals.<\/p>\n

Of course we understood this situation and that it is not possible to further approach the dolphins.<\/p>\n

Animal welfare always has priority.<\/p>\n

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