Holiday Ayo - The dolphin whose Latin name is Inia geoffrensis is a dolphin that lives in the Amazon River which is included in the platanistoidea superfamily. Because of its place of residence in the Amazon River, it is not uncommon for this dolphin to be called the Amazon dolphin. 

The distribution of these dolphins covers six countries, namely South American countries, such as Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The naming of these dolphins in each country is different. In Brazil, these dolphins are known as botos. 

source: www.tuneboto.com

In several countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, this animal is called Bufeo Colorado. And in Venezuela they are called Tonina and Defil Rosado. The interesting thing about dolphins, which are often called botos, is their body color.

This dolphin will have a body color that changes depending on age. When young, this dolphin has a dark gray color. 

Meanwhile, when approaching adulthood, the body color will change from gray to pink. And when mature, the boots are dark on the dorsal side and pink on the lower flanks.

Because of this color, Boto is often known as the pink dolphin. Boto is a solitary animal that lives in small groups of two to four individuals.

Even boto is also often referred to as an animal that likes to be alone. Several observations made on botos showed that botos were silent and had no social contact. 

source: Ancient Summit

These dolphins often turn upside down with their eyes closed. There are several myths about boto circulating among the Amazonian people.

One of these myths indirectly helps the preservation of boto. The myth is that if you eat boto meat, bad luck will befall those who eat it. Apart from that, there are also other myths about boto. 

Boto is considered a supernatural being who can turn into a human. He came out of the water to invite people to his land under the water.

To hide the breath hole and forehead, botos use a hat. For modern society, the growing myth about boto is not really taken into account. 

source: India TV News

What's more, the market demand for fish is getting higher causing boto to become the target of poaching. The myths about boto have not been able to stop poaching from becoming more widespread and has become a common thing.

In addition, the threat to the Boto dolphins does not only come from poaching, but from more widespread development. 

One example is the construction of hydropower in large tributaries. This development has resulted in the existence of fish species that are food for boto to decrease.

source: Encyclopedia Britannica

Pollution of rivers by chemicals is also a serious threat to the extinction of boto. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the boto as a vulnerable animal due to prolonged mortality.