Media Centre for Volunteer in Ghana

Jaimini Mehta

After 3 tiring days of traveling to Tefe from London I was met at the little airport by an extremely friendly intern named Luiz. Before leaving Tefe to go to the reserve, we went to the local market to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetable supplies. Seeing the town and the surrounding views of the river is a culture shock, but I adapted to the Brazilian way of life quite quickly. The boat journey to the flutuante was amazing and it made me realize that I really was in the middle of the Amazon. After arriving at the flutuante I was greeted by Ellen and made to feel at home straight away. Falling asleep to the sounds of the botos swimming near the flu and waking up to the howler monkeys and the birds is something that I greatly miss since being back.

On observation days there was an early start at about 6am and then we spent the whole day doing observations of seeing the brands on the botos and recognizing the groups and the gender of the dolphins. After doing this for 4 weeks I realized how difficult Edinho’s job is, as I could just about recognize the brands by the end of my stay. Watching the botos everyday you can understand why they are seen as enchanting creatures as they only surface slightly and then you never know when or where they will resurface again. They are truly mysterious creatures. Not only do you get to see a huge number of boto and tucuxi everyday, but you also get to see a wide range of birds, butterflies, sloth, and of course insects! After watching the flutuante’s pet caiman Dorothea and the frogs in the evening you realize that all the animals have their own individual personalities. Evenings were spent reading and talking with Ellen, Luiz and Edinho, and after the first week I felt like we were all one big family.

The rains in the Amazon are certainly an experience and you literally get soaked to the bone! The views of the forest and river change dramatically when the clouds get heavier with rain and you get to experience a different side and watch how the animals behave with the weather changes too. I spent 2 nights in another area of the reserve called Cauacu, observing the dolphins in this area. I really noticed the change in scenery in this area and it was nice to have the opportunity to see another part of the reserve. On the last day in Cauacu we got to see a sloth swimming in the river, which is something that I will never forget!

Days off were spent canoeing or visiting the nearby town on Alvaraes. When we went out in the canoe we got to see the animals up close as there are no sounds to disturb them and we could watch a monkey eating from a short distance away. The local people from the communities and from the nearby flutuantes were extremely welcoming, and I feel they make the Amazon the wonderful place it is. Daily tasks of washing clothes and cleaning don’t feel like chores when you are surrounded by the rainforest. My most memorable moment was watching the stars in the night sky as nothing else I have experienced felt more magical. My trip to the Amazon with Projeto Boto was a wonderful experience, thanks to the people and the animals I met out there!