Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis); this individual is in an aquarium.
Image: Titlutin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Amazon river dolphin, or boto, is a freshwater dolphin famous for its pink colouring and flexible neck. It is assessed as Endangered.
It navigates flooded forests and murky rivers using echolocation.
Range & habitat
The Amazon and Orinoco river systems of South America.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Use as fishing bait
- Entanglement and dams
- Pollution including mercury
Why it matters
As a top predator of Amazon waterways and a creature of local legend, the boto is an indicator of the health of South America's great river systems.
Sources
Sources for Amazon River Dolphin
- IUCN Red List — look up Amazon River Dolphin (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Amazon river dolphin pink?
Many adults, especially males, develop a pink hue; the exact reasons are debated and may relate to age, skin, and behaviour. Younger animals are greyer.
Why is the boto Endangered?
Published assessments cite killing for use as fishing bait, entanglement, dams fragmenting rivers, and pollution such as mercury from mining. See the IUCN Red List.
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