Guiana Dolphin
VU

Guiana Dolphin

Sotalia guianensis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guiana_dolphin

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Guiana dolphins face mounting pressure from coastal development and industrial activities throughout their range from Venezuela to southern Brazil. Gillnet fisheries pose the greatest immediate threat, with hundreds of dolphins dying annually as bycatch in artisanal and commercial fishing operations. Water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, and industrial contaminants degrades their nearshore habitat, while boat strikes in busy coastal waters add to mortality rates.

Threat summary

Habitat

Guiana dolphins inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and river mouths along the tropical Atlantic coast of South America. They prefer nearshore environments with depths typically less than 20 meters, including mangrove creeks, lagoons, and the lower reaches of major river systems.

MARINE· major

Threatened in Brazil

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Erythrodiplax acanthaCR

Erythrodiplax acantha

Unknown
CR

Leporinus pitingai

Unknown
EN

Eugenia brownsbergii

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Guiana Dolphin classified as Vulnerable?
Guiana Dolphin is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Guiana dolphins face mounting pressure from coastal development and industrial activities throughout their range from Venezuela to southern Brazil. Gillnet fisheries pose the greatest immediate threat, with hundreds of dolphins dying annually as bycatch in artisanal and commercial fishing operations. Water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, and industrial contaminants degrades their nearshore habitat, while boat strikes in busy coastal waters add to mortality rates.
Where does Guiana Dolphin live?
Guiana Dolphin occurs in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago (plus 1 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Guiana Dolphin?
The main threats to Guiana Dolphin are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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