Volunteer on this unique project to conserve river dolphins in the Amazon rainforest

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Travel to the very heart of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and contribute to vital conservation work and help stop the decline of freshwater dolphins worldwide.

The research you will be contributing to focuses on two unique species of river dolphin – boto and tucuxi. Only in the Amazon basin are river dolphins not going through obvious declines. But with human exploitation currently increasing, your contribution will make a real difference in protecting an incredible animal species.

This project is run in partnership with the Mamirauá Reserve, a pioneering conservation unit and the largest protected area of flooded forest in the Amazon, offering you an amazing insight into this diverse environment.

Life on the Program

You will spend the vast majority of your time on the water. River observations take place up to 11 hours a day divided between two teams collecting and processing data on the river dolphin population.

In order to study these amazing animals in a natural setting you will be a two hour boat journey from the nearest town. Like this project, your base is also very unique, taking the form of a combined house and lab that floats on the water. Living conditions in the house are basic but comfortable with general duties shared by the team.

The Amazon rainforest is an astounding but challenging environment and days can be long which volunteers should be prepared for.

Program Details

You will collect data on two species of river dolphin with the aim to:

Establish the number of dolphins that use the Mamirauá reserve and its surrounding rivers
Monitor these populations
Investigate the impact of fishing
Determine basic population parameters, such as age at first reproduction and age-related survival

The main goal of the project is to revolutionise our understanding of the biology and ecology of river dolphins, identifying key habitats and the dolphin/human interactions that threaten the populations of these amazing animals.

Data is shared with the Institute for Environmental Protection of Amazonas (IPAAM), and international agencies like the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), among others.

Volunteer Testimonials

Many past volunteers have had amazing experiences traveling with GVI. Read what they have to say here.

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