All you ever wanted to know about river dolphins, where to find them and how to protect them

River dolphins are extraordinary. They are the apex predators of some of the world’s greatest rivers. Yet, they remain largely unknown and highly threatened.  Conservation efforts have achieved some success, but there has never been an authoritative platform to share information and best practices for their sustainable conservation, until now.

Today, the WWF River Dolphin Initiative launched RiverDolphins.org.  This website is an unprecedented resource for anyone living in river dolphins in river basins or working on these iconic species – so we can ensure their survival together.

RiverDolphins.org boasts the most comprehensive overview of all river dolphin species along with conservation and management ‘best practices’ worldwide.  These include case studies on community engagement, threat mitigation, conservation planning and research and monitoring. Combined with an extensive literature review, leads scientists, government representatives, multi-lateral organizations and conservation organisations are interviewed working in every river basin that hosts river dolphin populations. From water stewardship to water reserves, from community governed fisheries to environmental impact assessments: you can find it all at one place.

“I am incredibly proud that this rich resource now exists, and I am positive this will boost the interest and the protection of river dolphins worldwide” said Daphne Willems, WWF’s Global River Dolphin Initiative lead.

“These incredible species deserve all the attention they can get, as do their homes, the world’s mightiest rivers.  I trust this website will inspire researchers and decision makers around the world! For the benefit of the dolphins, their rivers, and all the people and economies that depend on them.”

This global knowledge database was developed by WWF and partners, and commissioned by the World Bank. Have a look and get inspired; together, we can safe these species, their rivers and the people that depend on them.

For more infomation get in touch with Daphne Willems, WWF River Dolphin Rivers Initiative Lead.
em. dwillems@wwf.nl ph. (+31) 6-19302529