Photo-identification of Dolphins in the Cojimies River Estuary

Project Name:
Photo-identification of dolphins in the Cojimies River Estuary

Project Dates:

Ongoing

Project Site(s):

Mach Chindul Protected Research, Esmeraldas and Manabi Province

Project Aims:

• Identify and monitor cetaceans in estuaries in Esmeraldas and Cojimies.

• Document the habitat use and population status of small cetacean.

• Provide recommendations for local managers to conserve these habitats for small

cetaceans.

Project Justification:

In the north and south coastal areas of Ecuador, there are two large remnant

mangroves. These remnants have formed estuaries that are frequently visited by

dolphins. In the case of Guayas in the south, this site has recently been named a

protected area. Little is known of the northern estuary, although bottlenose dolphins

have been observed. The goal will be to create a similar marine protected area as that

found in Guayas.

Project Methodology:

Photo-identification will be carried out from a 10 meter research vessel with 60 hp

ourboard motors departing Cojimies in Pedernales. Surveys will be conducted in a

nonsystematic fashion within the study area (depending on reports of sightings, as

well as weather conditions). Data is collecting opportunistically in the form of digital

photographs, audio tape recordings, and real time observations recorded on pre-

formatted data sheets.

Project Permits:

Miinisterio de Ambiente - In review

Collaborators:

Municipio de Pedernales, Hotel Las Gaviotas, Ministerio de Ambiente, Reserva Mache

Chindul, Ministerio de Turismo.

Management Outcomes:

Determine the abundance, species and habitat use of small cetaceans found in the

Cojimies estuary. Anticipated result will be the creation of a new wildlife protected

area.

Publications/Presentations:

TBD