Purpose and Drive

In conversation with the 2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer Fernando Trujillo on the causes, effects, and results of a life spent protecting the Amazon River dolphins

- Somya Rauthan

Fernando Trujillo found his calling early. The Columbian marine biologist, who has been recognised as the 2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer, started working on conserving Amazon river dolphins when he was 19. But it was from an even younger age that Trujillo developed a love for animals and often spent time at the Orinoco River, one of South America’s longest rivers. This affection, further bolstered by watching documentaries of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, made him pursue marine biology, which ultimately led to him working with dolphins in the Amazon river at a time when very few people knew of their existence.

The conservation of the Amazon river dolphins in South America forms the backbone of Trujillo’s work, and today, he is one of the foremost voices in the field. As per data, there are only six surviving species of river dolphins left in the world today, all endangered or critically endangered. Through scientific forums, education, and communication campaigns and outreach, Trujillo has managed to garner attention of governments, and national and regional management to the cause. He has done 78 expeditions in seven countries and travelled 80,000km to raise awareness for river dolphins, and combines his scientific research with action, which also extends to protecting Amazon’s riverine communities. As a form of respect and trust, he is also called ‘Omacha’, a moniker given to him by the Tikuna indigenous people living near Amazon River in Columbia. It means ‘dolphin transformed into a man’.