Research and conserve the pink river dolphins on the Amazon rainforest

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Project Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Travel to the very heart of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, contribute to vital conservation work, and help stop the decline in the population of freshwater dolphins.

The research you will contribute to focuses on two unique species of river dolphin: the boto and the tucuxi. Only in the Amazon basin are river dolphin populations not experiencing dramatic declines, but with human exploitation increasing, your efforts are needed to make a real difference in protecting an incredible animal species.

This project is run in partnership with the Mamirauá Reserve, a pioneering conservation unit and the largest protected area of flooded forest in the Amazon, offering you an amazing insight into this diverse environment.

Life on the Program

You will spend the vast majority of your time on the water, collecting and processing data on the river dolphin population. River observations take place up to 11 hours a day, divided between two teams of volunteers.

In order to study these amazing animals in a natural setting, you will be in area of flooded forest in the Amazon, a two hour boat journey from the nearest town. Like this project, the base is also very unique, taking the form of a combined house and scientific lab that floats on the water. Living conditions in the house are basic but comfortable with general duties shared by the team.

The Amazon rainforest is an astounding but challenging environment, and volunteers should be prepared for long, strenuous days.

Project Details

You will collect data on two species of river dolphin in order to:

Establish the number of dolphins that use the Mamirauá Reserve and its surrounding rivers
Investigate the impact of fishing in the area
Determine basic population parameters, such as age at first reproduction and longevity

The main goal of the project is to revolutionize our understanding of the biology and ecology of river dolphins, identifying key habitats and the dolphin/human interactions that threaten the populations of these amazing animals.

Data is shared with the Institute for Environmental Protection of Amazonas (IPAAM), and international agencies like the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), among others.

How this program makes a difference:

Data collected on this project has been published in international scientific journals, and in presentations at international conferences.

Conservation efforts have successfully achieved the development of the pool of marked and recognisable animals that form the backbone of this project, assuring there is an up-to-date database about the ecosystem and its species.

Volunteer Testimonials

Many past volunteers have had amazing experiences traveling with GVI. Read what they have to say here.

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