Scientists Study Rare Amazon Dolphins to Prevent Future Drought Deaths

Biologists, vets, and fishermen captured rare freshwater dolphins in the Amazon to assess their health and prevent future deaths from droughts. The dolphins underwent blood tests, biopsies, and were microchipped for monitoring. Climate change-induced droughts had previously led to a massive die-off of these unique mammals in Lake Tefé.

In a concerted effort to safeguard the health of rare freshwater dolphins, a team comprising biologists, veterinarians, and fishermen temporarily captured several of these mammals in the Amazon basin this week. The goal was to conduct thorough health examinations and avert a recurrence of the massive dolphin mortality seen during last year's severe drought.

Throughout the procedure, the dolphins were brought ashore for blood tests and other vital examinations. A crucial part of the operation involved inserting a microchip into each dolphin, facilitating satellite monitoring of their behavior and habitat conditions. Ensuring the well-being of an adult female dolphin, the fishermen took special care to minimize stress, keeping her in proximity to her offspring during the tests.

These actions come in response to last year's grim statistics when more than 200 river dolphins were found dead in Lake Tefé, their demise attributed to intolerably heated waters caused by low river levels amid the longest drought recorded in the Amazon rainforest. Environmental activists have pointed to climate change and phenomena like El Niño as contributing factors to the region's increasing drought frequency and intensity.

(With inputs from agencies.)