Dolphins of the Forest

The Amazon river dolphin’s relationship with humans is complex.

Traditional Amazonian beliefs hold that the dolphins can take on human form, and they are both revered and feared. Others see them as thieves who steal fish from nets and should be killed. Thomas took these images in areas where local communities are creating opportunities for tourists to encounter the dolphins. This brings another set of problems: when they’re fed by humans, the dolphins become unhealthy and younger individuals don’t learn to hunt for themselves. “Living within the murky waters of these flooded forests, the pink river dolphins are notoriously difficult to photograph,” remarks Wildlife Photographer, Biologist and Competition Judge Chien Lee. “Within these six images, the photographer has not only been able to capture compelling glimpses of their underwater behaviour but also to show how their story is connected with that of the people of this region.”