Endangered Pink Dolphin Released In Safe Waters After Becoming Stranded For Month
This is the moment Colombian Navy personnel and conservationists rescue an endangered pink river dolphin after it became stranded for over a month, and then release it in safer waters.
The pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also known as the Amazon river dolphin, was rescued from shallow waters in the Pauto River in the Colombian department of Casanare.
The Colombian Navy said in a statement on 10th January: “A pink dolphin that was at risk of death due to shallow water levels in the Pauto River was rescued, transferred, and later released into the Meta River near the municipality of Orocue (Casanare).
“The operation was coordinated by the Autonomous Corporation of the Orinoquia Region (Corporinoquia) and included units of the Colombian Navy and Colombian Air Force deployed in the Colombian East as well as personnel from the Omacha Foundation and the community in general.
“The enormous mission began in the village of Brisas del Pauto, Pore Town, Casanare, where the specimen had been stranded for over a month.
“From there, the dolphin was extracted from the river and transported on a truck to Paz de Ariporo where an Air Force plane was waiting to take it to the municipality of Orocue, with all security and life preservation measures in place.”
The Colombian Navy added: “Finally, the dolphin was successfully released in the waters of Meta River.”
The statement continued: “It should be noted that this species of aquatic mammal, scientifically known as ‘Inia geoffrensis’, has a presence not only in Colombia, but also in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, and has been classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“The Colombian Navy, through the Infantry Brigade No. 5 attached to the Eastern Naval Force, confirms our commitment to the conservation and protection of the environment, developing operations that protect the country’s fauna and flora.”
