AN INTRODUCTION TO RIVER DOLPHIN SPECIES - Biology, Evolution and Conservation of River Dolphins Within South America and Asia - page 9

which exceeds population growth rates. There is mounting evidence that habitat degradation
(Danilewicz et al., 2002) and chemical pollution (Kajiwara et al., 2004) have fueled the
franciscana population decline, although further studies need to focus on this connection.
Pontoporia blainvillei is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN because of its projected decline in
numbers (Secchi 2006). Diminished fish stocks due to overfishing further exacerbate the
situation (Haimovici, 1998; Bassoi & Secchi, 2000). The ecology, life history, threats and
conservation status of franciscanas are reviewed by Secchi in chapters 16 and 17.
Figure 4. Pontoporia blainvillei (copyright Ricardo Bastida and Eduardo Secchi).