Belief in lucky charms drives river dolphin hunting in Ecuador's Amazon

River dolphins in Ecuador's Amazon are facing a critical threat from hunting and incidental fishing, with a decade-long study revealing significant mortality. Researchers documented 50 dead dolphins between 2015 and 2025, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts for these endangered mammals.

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Hunters seek different parts of the animals' bodies, especially the teeth.

The primary driver of dolphin deaths is hunting, accounting for 24 of the recorded fatalities. Hunters specifically target dolphin teeth, believing they possess amuletic and aphrodisiac properties, while the animal's fat is sought for supposed medicinal benefits. This traditional belief fuels an illegal trade, with Puyo emerging as a significant hub for the sale of dolphin products, including necklaces made from teeth, which command high prices in local markets. The Curaray River, bordering Yasuní National Park, is identified as a source for some of these hunted dolphins.

In recent years, the study also observed at least 25 individuals offering dolphin teeth for sale on social media platforms like Facebook, complete with images and prices. This online trade further exacerbates the problem, making it harder to track and control the illegal exploitation of these animals. The study also noted that pink and gray dolphins, native to the Amazon, are particularly vulnerable to these threats.

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Part of the population attributes amuletic properties for good luck and supposed aphrodisiac powers to the teeth.

Incidental fishing is the second leading cause of dolphin deaths, contributing 10 fatalities. This occurs when dolphins, attracted by fish caught in nets, become entangled and drown. To combat this, researchers have collaborated with fishing communities to establish agreements promoting responsible fishing. These agreements focus on using fishing nets that are less likely to trap dolphins, such as those with thicker mesh that are more visible to the animals, and prohibiting indiscriminate practices like fishing from bank to bank or using explosives and toxic chemicals like the insecticide metabin.

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Fishermen set nets to catch fish, not dolphins. The dolphins approach these nets in search of the trapped fish, because they are their main food, and fall into the mesh.