©F. Trujilo-Omacha.

The Bolivian river dolphin or bufeo (Inia boliviensis) is a unique, endemic species in the upper Madeira Basin. However, limited knowledge about these animals and their restricted distribution makes them extremely vulnerable to risks posed by deliberate killing and entanglement in fishing gear, as well other antropic threats. This study will be carried on the Llanos de Moxos region, in the designated Municipal Protected Area Ibare- Mamore (PA) in the Beni Department- Bolivia. People in the study region are a mixture of tribal origins and settlers, whom appear to show a general indifference or negative attitude to bufeos who are perceived as competitors for fish catches and responsible for fishing net damage. We intend to turn these attitudes around and persuade people of the uniqueness and importance of bufeos in this ecosystem and the benefit of looking after them and other fresh water resources. To reach that goal, we plan to design and implement an effective education and outreach programme to encourage local people to take part in the careful management of their natural resources and protect bufeos. Working closely with rural school teachers, we will present lectures and environmental education activities about river dolphins and their habitat to kids. We will encourage people living in and around the PA to learn about bufeos and change the perception of the locals and embrace this species as the main symbol of the City and the department. This project will also support the Municipality (local government authorities) to develop a management plan to implement the PA and to assist in the development of an interpretation centre at the gateway of the PA; this interpretation center will highlight the complex ecosystem, their threats and the importance to the bufeo.

We will also study trends and health of the bufeo population over time by setting up field trips and training to establish regular observation and monitoring of bufeo populations mortality in the PA by community members. The implementation of this local project will support and fit with the wider objectives of the National Bolivian River Dolphin Conservation Action Plan.