Mundo Azuls first dolphin conservation and investigation volunteer group completed their work in September 2006, implementing pioneering field research on bottlenose dolphins in Peru:

• Never before Dolphins have been photo-identified in the area between Lima and the Island of Asia (100 km south of Peru’s capital Lima).
• Even though some photo-ID work has been previously undertaken by other NGOs in the area of Pisco/Paracas little information had been published and was accessible.

Videos dolphins 1

Videos dolphins 2

Preliminary results:

• During the four weeks Photo-ID program the group could make more than 5000 pictures of dolphins which are to be analyzed in the weeks to come.
• The number of 36 known and published dolphin fins in the area of Paracas could be increased to at least 75 dolphins identified in the area with a great possibility of more dolphins to be identified from the not yet analyzed pictures from this area.
• Five dolphins could be identified in a first trip to the area south of the Peninsula of Paracas.
• At least 130 dolphins (with a good possibility to reach more than 200 after detailed picture analysis) could be identified in the area between Lima and the Island of Asia.
• Human activities (fishing, recreational boating, etc) in the research areas were systematically recorded.
• In the area of Paracas a high percentage of dolphins with skin disease were discovered – possibly due to marine contamination.
• In Paracas first observations on interesting fishing behavior of dolphins could be made.
• In Pucusana port additional marine bird counts were realized.

What have been learning
because of the work of this volunteer group:

• Get a first idea of how many dolphins are in both areas
• Learn how many different dolphin pods are in both areas
• Start understanding social interaction between single specimen within the group
• Learn about the dolphins reaction to different human activities and boats
• Learn about dolphins spatial behavior and distribution
• Learn about dolphins interaction with humans
• Identify the threats for dolphins in each specific area
• Learn about dolphins ecology

Apart of all this – we had a great time in the field with our volunteers: lots of fun and dolphins. Dolphins have been observed nearly every day with the exemption of three days of tough weather making it impossible to work at sea. The time spent with dolphins varied between one and four hours per day. The number of dolphins encountered varied between 30 and more than 100 per day.

We observed interesting fishing strategies, social behavior and the most amazing 5 meter jumps one could imagine. Bow-riding dolphins were a daily experience having them as close as one meter of distance to the boat jumping and watching at us from below the water. No doubt that they have been doing some human-watching. Nick and Toni developed to be masters in taking dolphin pictures and Dan learned to drive an inflatable boat within the waves.

Click on the names to see our volunteers’ best pictures, movies and to read what they think about working with Mundo Azul: Toni Balmer Nick Bonfield Dan Johnson HAVING FUN: Click here to enjoy the funniest scenes with our volunteers

If you would like to learn more about our volunteer programs, please follow the following links:

• Support, Benefits and Services
• Security and health
• Peru travel information
• Protecting dolphins through research