Asociación Pro Delfínes de Talamanca                       
                 

The Talamanca Dolphin Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the wild dolphins and people of Atlantic/Caribbean coastal Talamanca, in Costa Rica. The idea for the Foundation came on the heels of several exciting scientific discoveries made and documented by Shawn Larkin, Vanessa Schot, Willie Burton, Ann DiBerardinis and Mary Ahlers in April, 1997. The first was the identification, near Manzanillo, of tucuxi dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis), a little-known species never before known to exist in Costa Rica. The second exciting discovery was the unusual social interaction between the tucuxi and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) there. The third dolphin species seen close by is the Atlantic spotted (Stenella frontalis). The results of this initial study, and subsequent studies, have been reported by Ann DiBerardinis, Shawn Larkin and Vanessa Schot of the TDF, Dr. Paul Forestell and Allison Wright of Southampton College, and Dr. Alejandro Acevedo-Guitierrez, Ann DiBerardinis, Shawn Larkin, Katrina Larkin, and Paul Forestell (see Research page).

As news of these discoveries spread, many visitors, scientists, and students began coming to the small village of Manzanillo to see these dolphins for themselves. The immediate need for information, responsible boating and observation techniques, protection of the dolphins, and continuation of scientific research spawned the birth of an organization that could help meet these needs. It was also important to the founders that the local boat captains and people of Manzanillo participate in these changes in their community, and share in the economic development that was taking place. Consequently, the Talamanca Dolphin Foundation (Asociación Pro Delfínes de Talamanca) was formed and chartered as a non-profit organization in Costa Rica.* Its officers and members include cetacean specialists, local naturalist guides, boat captains, local business owners, and community leaders.

Mission: To increase awareness, understanding and protection of the dolphins of Talamanca’s coastal region through:

• Research

• Education

• Protection

• Promotion of responsible eco-tourism

• Community involvement

* TDF is also a tax-exempt organization in the USA under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.