Scientists were surprised to find the diminutive tucuxis off the Talamanca shore, since their range was thought to extend only from Panama south to Brazil. Even more surprising, the resident population of tucuxis in Talamanca intermingle and appear to mate with bottlenose dolphins. In Talamanca we have a very rare opportunity to learn completely new things about inter-species relations. The oil exploration definitely puts these marine mammals at risk. Studies have shown that the noise and disturbances of oil exploration and other industrial activities cause stress in dolphins and drive them away, Forestell says.
Prolonged stress is a deadly disease in mammals - dolphins as well as humans.
We are pressuring marine mammals to adjust to our technologies faster than they have evolved to withstand. Tucuxis depend on mangrove habitat for food and shelter. Sensitive mangrove ecosystems around the world are being seriously compromised by pollution from oil development. With other marine scientists and local fishermen, Forestell formed the Talamanca Dolphin Foundation to study and protect dolphins and dolphin habitat. Presidente de la Republica Miguel Angel Rodriguez Casa Presidencial Apdo.