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amazon river dolphins survive severe drought
Amazon River Dolphins Survive Severe Drought
2010 saw one of the worst droughts in the Amazon in a very long time. Water levels were dangerously low and numerous aquatic animals suffered as a consequence. In October 2010 the number of pink river dolphins along a monitored stretch of river in Northern Peru was found to have dropped by 44% compared to the same time in 2009.
In March of this year the same stretch of river was assessed and conservationists were surprised to find a healthy recovery amongst a number of species including the pink river dolphin. March 2011 saw a 10% increase in the pink river dolphin population compared to March 2010 and a 30% increase in the grey river dolphin population.
Not all species are recovering as quickly, however. The black caiman population is still 60% down compared to the start of 2010.
The drought, associated with warm waters in the North Atlantic, was the second of such severity in just five years and meteorologists believe that this could become a more frequent occurrence.
This region of the Amazon in Northern Peru is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and can be explored by boat or based out of a lodge. Contact us for more details.
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