Occurrence, and behavior of three species of large dolphins (Orcinus orca, Pseudorca crassidens and Globicephala macrorhynchus) in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

P.IDamián Martínez Fernández

E-mail: dmartinez@fundacionketo.org

Three out of twenty-eight resident species of dolphins have been studied in depth in Costa Rica over the last 10 years: the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the coastal spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata graffmani), and the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Unfortunately, we lack good information for almost all the species and this makes the conservation strategies difficult.

By means of systematic research, this project would generate information about three species of large dolphins that are commonly observed in Costa Rican`s waters: the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca), the False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens) and the Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). Researchers from the KETO foundation, as well as Biology students from the Universidad Nacional, Universidad de Costa Rica, and those of Wildlife Management and Conservation Regional Program are working with the coastal communities on environmental education and conservation strategies.

We also thank: Cabinas Jademar, Emily Tour and Internet Corcovado Expeditions