Mar 17 • 11:51 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil G1 (PT)

Pink river dolphin found in canal in Belém; 'totally unusual situation,' says biologist

A pink river dolphin was discovered in an urban canal in Belém, causing curiosity and concern among local residents and prompting a rescue effort.

On Tuesday, September 17, a pink river dolphin was found stranded in the União canal in the Marco neighborhood of Belém, Brazil. Local residents gathered out of curiosity as the dolphin struggled to find a way out of the confined space. The situation drew immediate attention, leading to the involvement of the local Fire Department, which secured the area and contacted the Instituto Biologia e Conservação de Mamíferos Aquáticos da Amazônia (BioMA) from the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (Ufra) for appropriate rescue efforts.

Biologist Ângélica Rodrigues from the BioMA Institute remarked on the unusual nature of the incident, stating that there have never been reported occurrences of dolphins in urban canals before, labeling the event as complex. It was suggested that a high tide might have contributed to the dolphin's presence in such a populated area. This incident highlights the potential impacts of environmental changes and urbanization on wildlife habitats.

The pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), a freshwater dolphin native to the Amazon basin, is known for its varying shades of pink. The discovery in the canal raises questions about the health of local ecosystems and the challenges faced by wildlife in urban settings, prompting discussions about conservation measures needed to protect such species.

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