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Our News
Ucayali Expedition: Julian Hahne's travel blog
03.11.2022 - Thursday
Pucallpa - San Francisco
The first day of the expedition started at 6 o’clock. We met at the reception. Everyone was excited that we were about to get into the wild green Amazonas and make our way through the Ucayali river, from Pucallpa to Nauta, and later to Iquitos.
We left the hotel and went to the port, where our boat was waiting for us. Together we stored the luggage and explored our home for the next 7 days. The weather was tropical warm. At 7:30 am we left the port. After I took a group picture, everyone got into position to count the dolphins that we were about to see.
It didn’t take long to spot the first dolphins. Everyone was very happy and excited. Besides those amazing water creatures, we were constantly surrounded by dozens of birds, like egrets (Bubulcus ibis).
At 06:00 pm we ended our first day of the expedition and docked the boat next to the shore.
Pucallpa - San Francisco
The first day of the expedition started at 6 o’clock. We met at the reception. Everyone was excited that we were about to get into the wild green Amazonas and make our way through the Ucayali river, from Pucallpa to Nauta, and later to Iquitos.
We left the hotel and went to the port, where our boat was waiting for us. Together we stored the luggage and explored our home for the next 7 days. The weather was tropical warm. At 7:30 am we left the port. After I took a group picture, everyone got into position to count the dolphins that we were about to see.
It didn’t take long to spot the first dolphins. Everyone was very happy and excited. Besides those amazing water creatures, we were constantly surrounded by dozens of birds, like egrets (Bubulcus ibis).
At 06:00 pm we ended our first day of the expedition and docked the boat next to the shore.
©Julian Hahne/ WWF-Perú04.11.2022 - Friday
San Francisco - Contamana
Early in the morning, we got into position and the boat engines pushed us further up the Ucayali river. 30 minutes later we spotted a group of 4 gray dolphins. The gray dolphins are smaller than the pink ones, the gray ones can measure up to 150 cm and weigh up to 50 kg. The pink ones could measure between 280 cm and 250 kg. Both inhabit the rivers and lakes of the Amazon and Orinoquía, using different types of habitats such as river confluences, lagoons, areas close to the river banks, and more. What a great beginning! In the afternoon, I used the small wooden boat that was attached to our boat, to take some images from our home in the river.
During the day, our chef surprised us with fresh local fruits and juice. We finish the day with a great sunset.
San Francisco - Contamana
Early in the morning, we got into position and the boat engines pushed us further up the Ucayali river. 30 minutes later we spotted a group of 4 gray dolphins. The gray dolphins are smaller than the pink ones, the gray ones can measure up to 150 cm and weigh up to 50 kg. The pink ones could measure between 280 cm and 250 kg. Both inhabit the rivers and lakes of the Amazon and Orinoquía, using different types of habitats such as river confluences, lagoons, areas close to the river banks, and more. What a great beginning! In the afternoon, I used the small wooden boat that was attached to our boat, to take some images from our home in the river.
During the day, our chef surprised us with fresh local fruits and juice. We finish the day with a great sunset.
©Julian Hahne/ WWF-Perú
05.11.2022 - Saturday
Contamana - Alfa y Omega
The third day of the expedition started very hectic. One of the team members spotted a dead, gray dolphin floating down the Ucayali river. So we stopped the ship and used the small wooden side boat to approach the dead dolphin. As we came closer we noticed splashing water around the dead animal. Fishes were already eating the floating dolphin. We documented that scenery and returned to our main boat. During the rest of the day, we spotted gray and pink dolphins next to our boat. In the afternoon some crew members used the small boat to buy some food from locals. The day ended with a great sunset and dinner.
Contamana - Alfa y Omega
The third day of the expedition started very hectic. One of the team members spotted a dead, gray dolphin floating down the Ucayali river. So we stopped the ship and used the small wooden side boat to approach the dead dolphin. As we came closer we noticed splashing water around the dead animal. Fishes were already eating the floating dolphin. We documented that scenery and returned to our main boat. During the rest of the day, we spotted gray and pink dolphins next to our boat. In the afternoon some crew members used the small boat to buy some food from locals. The day ended with a great sunset and dinner.
©Julian Hahne/ WWF-Perú
06.11.2022 - Sunday
Alfa y Omega - Salida de Isla Panaico
Early in the morning, the sound of engines woke me up. At 6 o’clock everyone went back to their position. During the first hours, the dolphins didn’t show up. Nevertheless, our mood was very high, we were enthusiastic because we ate a delicious breakfast. Fresh eggs, juice and fruits gave our mood a booster.
The day continued very calmly and we stayed very hopeful to see more gray and pink dolphins.
Alfa y Omega - Salida de Isla Panaico
Early in the morning, the sound of engines woke me up. At 6 o’clock everyone went back to their position. During the first hours, the dolphins didn’t show up. Nevertheless, our mood was very high, we were enthusiastic because we ate a delicious breakfast. Fresh eggs, juice and fruits gave our mood a booster.
The day continued very calmly and we stayed very hopeful to see more gray and pink dolphins.
©Julian Hahne/ WWF-Perú07.11.2022 - Monday
Salida de Isla Panaico - Bellavista
Shortly before 6 o’clock, the team got ready for a new day on the Ucayali river. All of a sudden 4 dolphins appeared in front of our boat and one of them jumped out of the water. Dolphins are expert swimmers since their anatomy and shape are adapted to Amazonian rivers. When the Amazon forests are flooded, this allows them to swim in those spaces. A great beginning into a new day of observing and counting the dolphins.
At the end of the day, we were less successful in finding dolphins. Unfortunately, there weren’t many observations. Nevertheless we came across dozens of wild birds like herons (Ardea cocoi) and many macaws (Ara spp.) We finish the day with cool wind and a beautiful and orange sunset.
Salida de Isla Panaico - Bellavista
Shortly before 6 o’clock, the team got ready for a new day on the Ucayali river. All of a sudden 4 dolphins appeared in front of our boat and one of them jumped out of the water. Dolphins are expert swimmers since their anatomy and shape are adapted to Amazonian rivers. When the Amazon forests are flooded, this allows them to swim in those spaces. A great beginning into a new day of observing and counting the dolphins.
At the end of the day, we were less successful in finding dolphins. Unfortunately, there weren’t many observations. Nevertheless we came across dozens of wild birds like herons (Ardea cocoi) and many macaws (Ara spp.) We finish the day with cool wind and a beautiful and orange sunset.
©Julian Hahne/ WWF-Perú
08.11.2022 - Tuesday
Bellavista - Requena
Early in the morning dust covered the river. Everyone took their position & another expedition day started. The warm yellow sun raised behind the dark green trees of the Amazon. Within a couple of minutes we discovered the first gray and pink dolphins, breaking through the surface of the calm of the brown river. At 10 o’ clock 5 of us, including me, got into the small wooden boat and sail down the Pacaya river.
The moment we were at this part of the river, the bird sounds were louder. Immediately and very close, we spotted some dolphins. We continued our way. Big green trees, along the shores, guided us all the way, but no more dolphins appeared. So we decided to go back to the river confluence between the Pacaya and the Ucayali rivers. As we arrived, around 16 gray and pink dolphins appeared on the surface. The team of biologists I traveled with told me that dolphins can feed on up to 50 different species of fish, and even other small animals such as crustaceans and mollusks.
We shut down the engines and started observing and filming these beautiful creatures.
After 10 minutes we had to leave. We returned to our big ship, where we were welcomed with fresh watermelon and later an orange sunset finished our day.
Bellavista - Requena
Early in the morning dust covered the river. Everyone took their position & another expedition day started. The warm yellow sun raised behind the dark green trees of the Amazon. Within a couple of minutes we discovered the first gray and pink dolphins, breaking through the surface of the calm of the brown river. At 10 o’ clock 5 of us, including me, got into the small wooden boat and sail down the Pacaya river.
The moment we were at this part of the river, the bird sounds were louder. Immediately and very close, we spotted some dolphins. We continued our way. Big green trees, along the shores, guided us all the way, but no more dolphins appeared. So we decided to go back to the river confluence between the Pacaya and the Ucayali rivers. As we arrived, around 16 gray and pink dolphins appeared on the surface. The team of biologists I traveled with told me that dolphins can feed on up to 50 different species of fish, and even other small animals such as crustaceans and mollusks.
We shut down the engines and started observing and filming these beautiful creatures.
After 10 minutes we had to leave. We returned to our big ship, where we were welcomed with fresh watermelon and later an orange sunset finished our day.
©Julian Hahne/ WWF-Perú
09.11.2022 Wednesday
Requena - Nauta
The last day of the mission started with mixed feelings. All of us were really happy about the successful and greatly planned expedition, but also sad that this mission will come to an end soon.
For one last time, everyone took their position and we focused on observing the amazing river dolphins. That day was a great success. At one point a group of 6 pinks, including a small baby, showed up next to our boat. In the afternoon the sky turned gray, and the wind blew harder. We were about to be hit by a big storm, but luckily everything went well. We finished the observation and met in the living room.
Around 5:00 pm we arrived at Nauta. The whole team, including the ship crew, got into position for a group picture on top of the boat. After the pictures, we hugged the ship crew and thanked them for their hospitality. We expressed our desire to see each other again on the next expedition. In the end, we took a bus to Iquitos and finished the expedition with a great dinner.
Requena - Nauta
The last day of the mission started with mixed feelings. All of us were really happy about the successful and greatly planned expedition, but also sad that this mission will come to an end soon.
For one last time, everyone took their position and we focused on observing the amazing river dolphins. That day was a great success. At one point a group of 6 pinks, including a small baby, showed up next to our boat. In the afternoon the sky turned gray, and the wind blew harder. We were about to be hit by a big storm, but luckily everything went well. We finished the observation and met in the living room.
Around 5:00 pm we arrived at Nauta. The whole team, including the ship crew, got into position for a group picture on top of the boat. After the pictures, we hugged the ship crew and thanked them for their hospitality. We expressed our desire to see each other again on the next expedition. In the end, we took a bus to Iquitos and finished the expedition with a great dinner.
©Julian Hahne/ WWF-Perú