From Food Supply to Contemplation: Proposition of Areas for Dolphin-Watching Tourism in the Anavilhanas National Park, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The tourism to feeding Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is the main attraction of the Anavilhanas National Park. However, food supply to wild animals can promote changes in behavior, social structure, reproduction, and parental care. In order to stimulate less impactful interactions between tourists and dolphins, this work had as objective to identify the main areas of occurrence of I. geoffrensis and tucuxis (Sotalia fluviatilis), indicating places for observation of these animals, without the need for supplying food. Through a participatory mapping and population survey, we conclude that dolphins use a wide variety of environments but are found mainly in the morning and near riverbanks. In areas with higher densities of juvenile and calve individuals, we indicate that dolphin-watching only occurs through non-motorized vessels, while in areas with higher densities of adults, motorized nautical tourism can be performed under a series of rules to reduce possible negative impacts on animals.