Zoomarine reaffirms its commitment to the protection of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), a critically endangered species of coastal dolphin in Brazilian territory, through the work carried out by the Alliance for the Franciscana Dolphin Conservation Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation (AFCR3), an organisation created by Yaqu Pacha – a non-profit association that studies and protects marine mammals – and the Nuremberg Zoo, dedicated to the research, rescue and rehabilitation of this endangered species.

As an active member of AFCR3, Zoomarine has been working to implement concrete actions aimed at preserving this small coastal dolphin and was recently directly involved in the logistical and scientific support for a training initiative held in Brazil, which brought together 24 participants from various Brazilian institutions to develop essential rehabilitation techniques and standardised necropsy protocols.

The workshop focused on two critical aspects: the rehabilitation of stranded franciscanas, from newborns to adults, and the ability to carry out standardised necropsies to identify threats and causes of mortality. Both aspects are important because they allow for increased success rates in the rehabilitation of this species, the development of an informed conservation strategy and the promotion of global collaboration for the conservation of this cetacean.

For João Neves, Zoomarine’s Director of Science and Conservation, “Protecting the franciscana is a global effort that transcends borders, requiring international cooperation, knowledge sharing and resource mobilisation. Initiatives like this are fundamental to understanding the causes of the species’ mortality, developing effective strategies for its conservation and reinforcing our commitment to a more sustainable future for marine life. At Zoomarine, we believe that tackling the challenges that bring so many species to the brink of extinction is only possible through working together, complemented by individual efforts to change behaviours that guarantee the protection and survival of species”.

The franciscana faces multiple threats, including accidental capture in fishing nets, habitat degradation and the impact of human activities on coastal ecosystems. These pressures have contributed to the drastic reduction in populations of this species, which is now considered one of the most vulnerable among cetaceans. In Brazil, the situation is even more alarming, with the species classified as critically endangered.

By integrating projects of this type, Zoomarine intends to continue its work of raising public awareness of the importance of preserving marine ecosystems, inspiring concrete actions in favour of marine biodiversity.