They call it the “boto,” but to the people who live along the Amazon, this rare pink river dolphin is more than just an animal. Legend says it can shape-shift into a handsome man at night, luring women to the river’s edge before vanishing with the dawn. But while myths paint it as a magical seducer, the truth is far more tragic. This extraordinary creature, once common in the murky waters of South America’s greatest river, is now under threat from human activity, poisoned rivers, and a changing climate. And unless the tide turns soon, one of nature’s most enchanting oddities may slip beneath the surface forever.
A Creature Like No Other
The Amazon river dolphin is no ordinary dolphin. Unlike its ocean-dwelling cousins, it has evolved over millions of years to navigate winding freshwater channels, its flexible neck twisting through flooded forests and its long snout snatching fish in dark water. Its skin, often a striking pink, deepens in colour as the dolphin matures or becomes excited. Scientists believe this unusual hue comes from a mix of blood vessels close to the skin and scars from playful tussles and rivalries.
Local people have woven countless stories around the boto. They believe it transforms into a human at night or brings good fortune to those who encounter it. Yet behind the folklore lies a grim reality: this magical mammal is now listed as endangered, its population shrinking fast. In some areas, scientists report a decline of more than 50 percent.
A Poisoned River
One of the deadliest threats comes from mercury. Illegal gold mining in the Amazon has exploded in recent years, and miners use mercury to extract gold from river sediments. That mercury seeps into waterways, contaminating fish and, in turn, poisoning the dolphins that eat them.
Researchers led by Fernando Trujillo from the Omacha Foundation have captured dolphins to test their blood and tissue. The results are alarming. Some animals carry mercury levels up to 42 milligrams per kilogram, more than forty times what is considered safe for humans. Such contamination can damage the nervous system, harm organs, and disrupt reproduction. Scientists warn that the health of these dolphins mirrors the health of the river itself. If the boto is suffering, so too are the communities that rely on the Amazon for food and water.
Colombia banned mercury in mining in 2018 and has pledged to act under the Minamata Convention, a global treaty to curb mercury pollution. But enforcement in remote regions remains patchy, and illegal mining continues to surge.
The Heat is Rising
The Amazon’s problems don’t stop at mercury. The river system is also reeling from droughts linked to climate change. In 2023, a historic drought dried up tributaries and stranded dolphins in shallow lagoons. More than 200 were found dead in a single lake near Tefé, their bodies likely victims of overheated water and low oxygen.
Scientists and local fishers have begun catching and releasing dolphins to perform health checks and track their movements. By implanting microchips and gathering blood samples, they hope to understand how these animals cope with extreme conditions. But repeated droughts and shrinking waterways threaten to trap and kill many more.
Habitat loss, dams, boat traffic, and fishing nets compound the crisis, slicing the dolphins’ once-vast territory into smaller, more dangerous patches.
Culture and Crime
Even ancient beliefs have turned deadly. In parts of Peru and Brazil, people still kill pink river dolphins to harvest oil and body parts for “pusangas,” so-called love perfumes believed to hold magical powers. The trade is illegal, but weak enforcement and cultural traditions make it hard to stop. Investigations have traced products from remote villages to urban markets, where buyers believe they carry supernatural charm.
Despite the threats, efforts to save the boto are growing. In 2024, nine countries signed a global pact to protect river dolphins, promising to create safe habitats, coordinate research, and raise public awareness. Conservationists like Trujillo stress that saving the dolphins means saving the river itself. These animals are not just victims; they are vital indicators of the Amazon’s health.
Initiatives such as the South American River Dolphin Initiative (SARDI) are stepping up research and monitoring. Health assessment programs are underway across Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, and scientists are pushing for stricter regulation of mining and stronger river protections.
The boto’s story is one of wonder and warning. It is an animal born from legend, living in one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems, now facing an uncertain future. Its fight is not just for its species but for the survival of the Amazon and all who depend on it.
If this pink ghost disappears, it won’t just be a creature lost. It will be a sign that one of the planet’s greatest rivers is sick, and that humanity must act before the river’s heartbeat stops.
