From the top of our three story floating hostel, the Launcha, we witnessed the river invading the forest. The launcha's wake creates waves of water that spill across fields and into homes. We spotted a playful Pink River Dolphin cruising the river by itself in the sediment-rich water. Although it did not approach us, it seemed to respond to the activity of the Launcha with curiosity. It has been said that the people who live on the river, or riberenos, have communicated with dolphins. The pink river dolphin is such an incredible animal; I am wondering what it has to tell me. How do people and animals listen to each other? It must take a lifetime of sensitivity and observation.

I watched as the Pink River Dolphin left the wake of the Launcha and headed for the forest. Pink River Dolphins go into the forest during high water season to follow fish that are feeding on fruits and vegetation. Their flexible spines allow the dolphins to maneuver through log jams and under water obstacles. These dolphins know their way around the backwaters like a beaver, sea lion, or otter. High water makes it more difficult to find fish, their favorite meal, but the dolphin is adapted to hunt in any aquatic environment. When the fish are nowhere to be found, the dolphins scan the muddy river channel bottom with their long nose to find crabs and shellfish.

During the low water season, the river and fish return to a more confined channel, and the dolphins have an easy job finding schools of fish. Working together, Pink River Dolphins often encircle a school of fish to have better chances capturing prey. The pink river dolphin is an intelligent, aware, and capable animal that adapts very well to the seasonal changes of life on the Amazon.

Keep flowin',

Patrick