Course: Ingles
Group members:
Luis Fernando Fernández
Gladis Merma Saico
NRC: 53378
Course instructor: Lenna Tatiana Sosa
Choque
Issue: Report about an animal in danger of
extinction
INDEX
1° Cover……………………………………………………………1
2°Table of Contents………………………………………………2
3° Introduction………………………………………………………3
4° Ideas………………………………………………………………4
2.1. Location of the Animal and Habitats.
2.2. Diet and Reproduction Period.
2.3. Species Count and Reasons for Endangerment.
5th Conclusions……………………………………………………….5
Introduction
The topic deals with the care of endangered animals. In this report, we
will specifically discuss the Amazon Pink Dolphin.
The objective of this report is to shed light on the care of the Amazon
Pink Dolphin because there are many endangered animals worldwide.
This report provides detailed information about the animal. Here's a brief
concept: The Amazon Pink Dolphin, or its other name, Inia geoffrensis,
locally known as "bufeo," is the largest species of river dolphins, with a
maximum length of 2.5 meters. Despite being called the Pink Dolphin,
adults can be pink or gray, while newborns are always gray.
Ideas
Location of the Species:
The Amazon Pink Dolphin lives in freshwater within the basins of the
following rivers:
Amazon
Orinoco in Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
Peru
Venezuela
Habitats:
Drastic changes in river mouth areas during various rainy and dry
seasons determine the areas they can occupy and the availability of
food. They are not only found in the water but also in large flooded forest
areas during the rainy season. They can be found in small lake
formations connected to rivers, waterfalls, or prominent waterfalls at
river mouths.
Diet
The Amazon Pink Dolphin has the most diverse diet observed in any
odontocete. It consists of at least 43 different fish species grouped into
19 families. The prey size ranges from 5 to 80 cm, with an average of 20
cm. The most frequently consumed fish belong to the families Sciaenidae
(croakers), Cichlidae, and Characidae (tetras and piranhas). Its
heterodont dentition allows it to access prey with shells, such as river
turtles (Podocnemis sextuberculata) and crabs (Poppiana argentiniana).
Their diet is more diverse during the wet season when fish spread into
flooded areas away from river channels, becoming harder to catch. It
becomes more selective during the dry season when prey density is
higher.
Reproduction Period
Females reach maturity at around six or seven years with a length of 1.75
to 1.80 meters, while males reach maturity much later, at approximately
two meters in length. The breeding season is seasonal and coincides
with the dry season when water levels are low. The gestation period lasts
for eleven months, and births occur during the flooding season.
Newborns weigh 80 kg, and the nursing stage lasts for about a year, with
intervals of two to three years between pregnancies.
Species Count
Estimating the population of Pink Dolphins is challenging due to
variations in methodology. In one study along the Amazon called the
Solimões River, with a length of 1200 km between the cities of Manaus
and Tabatinga, a total of 332±55 individuals were sighted per inspection,
with density estimated at 0.08-0.33 animals per km² in the main channels
and 0.49-0.93 animals per km² in the tributaries. Another study in a 120
km stretch at the confluence of Colombia, Brazil, and Peru observed 345
individuals with a density of 4.8 in tributaries, 2.7 around islands, and 2.0
along the banks. Additionally, another study conducted in the Amazon at
the mouth of the Caquetá River for six days found a higher density on
riverbanks with 3.7 Pink Dolphins per km², decreasing toward the center
of the river. During the rainy season, the observed density in flooded
plains was 18 animals per km², while it ranged from 1.8 to 5.8 individuals
per km² on riverbanks and lakesides. These observations suggest that
the Pink Dolphin has a higher density than any other cetacean.
Reasons for Endangerment
Hunting and Deliberate Killings:
Generally, the species has been protected and respected in the past.
However, there are records of its oil being used as a source of light by
Portuguese settlers. The Muran indigenous people used to hunt Pink
Dolphins near Manaus, Brazil, during the 19th century, and the Tikuna
and Cocama people captured them near Leticia, Colombia, and in the
lower Ucayali, respectively, at least until the 1950s. Products from
accidentally captured individuals have also been used to make
medicines and love amulets. In Amazonian markets, "boto" eyes are
sold, but molecular analyses have shown that they come from the coastal
dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), which is also called "boto" in some regions.
Habitat Degradation:
Humans are rapidly expanding through the species' distribution area,
especially in Colombia and Brazil. The presence of these settlers leads to
increased agricultural activities, deforestation, cattle ranches, and
plantations. Deforestation of floodplains for agriculture and the timber
industry affects the hydrological cycle and riparian ecosystems. One of
the worst consequences of deforestation is the reduction in fish
populations, resulting in a limited food supply for dolphins and other
predators.
Predators of the Pink Dolphin:
There are no records of natural predators of Pink Dolphins, but the black
caiman (Melanosuchus niger), bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas),
anaconda (Eunectes murinus), and jaguar (Panthera onca) could
potentially capture a Pink Dolphin. Some animals have crescent-shaped
scars attributed to catfish from the families Cetopsidae and
Trichomycteridae.
Conclusions
We must provide more care and attention to Pink Dolphins because they
are a very special species. They are considered highly intelligent beings
with impressive capabilities greater than our own. They are challenging
to find, and we want to raise awareness of how important they are to the
ecosystem and our world.
End of the report. We hope this information proves to be very useful.
Thank you
