(Brazil) Extinction fears for pink dolphin - Guardian

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Extinction fears for pink dolphin

Tom Phillips in Manaus
Saturday June 16, 2007
The Guardian

Fears for the future of the Amazonian pink river dolphin are
rising after a surge in their indiscriminate killing and the
launch of a government plan to build several hydro-electric
dams in the region.

Until recently the freshwater dolphin - known in Brazil as
the boto - was not considered at risk, but environmentalists
in the Amazon now believe the dolphin could face the same
fate as the Yangtze river dolphin, which was recently
declared "functionally extinct" due to a combination of
pollution and dam projects.

The boto is still widespread compared to other river dolphins.
Since 2000, however, Brazilian scientists have registered a
sharp drop in their number.

-snip-

In Brazil the main threat to the boto is the growing use of
its flesh as bait. Dr da Silva said fishing techniques imported
from Colombia had led to indiscriminate capture. The number
of mutilated animals, without fins, with a name carved into
their backs or with puncture marks as if they have been
harpooned had also risen significantly, she added.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/brazil/story/0,,2104341,00.html