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Biologist Pedro Fruet receives funding from the Whitley Fund for Nature to expand conservation efforts for Lahille's bottlenose dolphin
With support from the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the co-founder of Kaosa will expand efforts to reverse the critical conservation status of Lahille's bottlenose dolphin, strengthening community involvement and the project's activities in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.
Biologist Pedro Fruet, co-founder of the organization Kaosa, was one of 12 recipients of funding from the WFN, which recognizes projects with significant impact on global biodiversity conservation. The winning project, titled "Art, Science, and Community: A Holistic Approach to Protect Lahille's Bottlenose Dolphins," will use the resources to enhance conservation strategies for the species, aiming to reduce non-natural mortality by 40% over the coming years in southern Brazil.
The initiative combines science, art, and traditional knowledge to promote awareness and engagement among local communities in the conservation process. Key actions include evaluations of public policy effectiveness for dolphin conservation, training courses for teachers, public managers, and decision-makers, as well as integrated educational campaigns. For the first time, the project will also conduct a comprehensive assessment of the health of Lahille's bottlenose dolphins and the ecosystems they inhabit.
"It is a species with an estimated population of fewer than 600 individuals in the wild, suffering from coastal habitat degradation in recent decades. Our goal is to seek alternatives that make economic activities viable while ensuring the species' survival for future generations. We will engage local communities and strengthen networking with stakeholders and institutions in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, expanding scientific data collection and creating training programs for local scientists. In this way, we can enhance regional conservation efforts developed through the Gephyreus Project," explains Fruet.
This is another significant recognition from the Whitley Fund for Nature of Pedro Fruet's work. In 2021, he was awarded the Whitley Award, known as the "Green Oscar" of conservation. Now, with this new funding, he and the Kaosa team, in collaboration with various institutions and local actors, will be able to expand their initiatives and intensify concrete measures for the conservation of Lahille's bottlenose dolphin.
The WFN allocated a total of £1.2 million to 12 projects worldwide, recognizing initiatives that demonstrate significant impact on biodiversity conservation. Pedro Fruet's work was featured on the Whitley Fund for Nature's website, which published a detailed article about the initiative.
📌 Read the full article on the Whitley Fund for Nature's website: WhitleyAward.org