The influx of people into the Amazon is having a profound effect on the Boutu. Increased commercial fishing with nylon nets where they drown "accidentally". Nets left by careless fishermen are traps which claim many dolphin lives each year. Hydroelectric power stations are causing changes in fish concentrations and the isolation of dolphin populations within river systems. Pollution from urban and industrial waste, farm chemicals and deforestation have also become a huge threat. River traffic transporting toxic chemicals and oil has increased the risk of devastating spills. Large quantities of mercury are used in the extraction of gold from open cut mining operations which are prolific throughout Amazonia. The effects of heavy metal pollution such as mercury devistates all levels of the food chain consequently the Boutu, a large mammal at the top of food chain, is in serious danger. There are few restrictions concerning pollution controls in the Amazonian frontier. Ones that do exist experience little enforcement by the governments.
South American river dolphins are the largest of the river dolphins, with males averaging 2,550mm and females 2,010mm in length. They are found in the Amazon, Negro, Mamore,and Orinoco River systems of Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Columbia. They feed on fish, river turtles, and crabs. Boutus have a significant place in the folklore of many different tribes within Amazonia.