Words by Abi Scaife
Yes, you read that right. Pink dolphins and Colombian guerillas have become unlikely allies for climate action.
Okay - please explain?
Rural communities, former Colombian guerrillas and these beautiful, but endangered boto dolphins have teamed up to help conservation efforts in what used to be a no-go conflict zone.
The boto, or pink dolphin, has been listed as endangered since 2018 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The dolphins were affected by fishing, habitat disruption, pollution and more.
So what changed?
There are now nine botos living in Lake Nare and, together, the former guerillas and locals are using their attraction to tourists to help keep them safe.
They give guided tours, showing off the incredible creatures, which brings a huge boost to the economy and helps protect the botos.
Tourists are beginning to flock to the area to see wildlife, including these pink dolphins, which are having an incredible impact on the surrounding area; creating jobs, educating tourists about local wildlife, and creating a space to protect these endangered creatures.
