Behavior of estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea, Delphinidae), in controlled boat traffic situation at southern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil |
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Authors: | Carolina H Tosi Renata G Ferreira |
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Institution: | 1. Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil 2. Rua Belfort Roxo 296/1301, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22020-010, Brazil 3. Programa de Pós–Gradua??o e Desenvolvimento do Meio Ambiente (PRODEMA), Departamento de Botanica, Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, 59 072-970, Brazil
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Abstract: | Dolphin/whale watching activity represents the major source of income to many local communities, however many studies describe
negative effects of this activity on animals’ normal behavior. In this paper we describe a behavioral analysis of estuarine
dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), proximity pattern and breathing synchrony during the first year after the delimitation of a coastal reserve and enforcement
of rules to control boat traffic at southern Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil). Different from studies conducted before the delimitation
of the coastal reserve, our results show that forage behavior did not decrease and overall activity budget did not change
in the presence of boats, although animals would still increase proximity and breathing synchrony during the first semester.
We conclude that simple rules for control of boat traffic are effective in minimizing the short term negative impacts on dolphins.
However, the enforcement of common rules is a difficult compromise between community needs and vulnerability of dolphin populations. |
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Keywords: | Activity budget Dolphin watching Ecotourism Estuarine dolphin Sotalia guianensis |
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