Doctor and sport fisherman Luciano Padilha was surprised by a river dolphin — of the species Inia araguaiaensis — during a recent fishing trip on the Tocantins River, in Peixe, southern Tocantins state. The animal surrounded the boat and, in the process, scared away all the nearby fish.
The encounter happened in an area known as Tropeço, famous for its rocky formations and rapids. In the video, Luciano jokingly vents his frustration: “Man, how are we supposed to fish? It’s hard!” The dolphin did not appear intimidated; on the contrary, it circled the boat, watched the fishermen and seemed to be waiting for a catch.
According to Luciano, the location is one of the favorite spots for blue peacock bass. He was accompanied by a fishing guide when the “intruder” suddenly appeared.
“We caught a few peacock bass, but when the fish gets hooked, it jumps and causes disturbance on the surface, and that ended up attracting the dolphin,” he explained.
Despite the amusing scene and the interaction that delighted the fisherman, the dolphin’s behavior reflects a survival strategy of a species already facing major challenges, as the Inia araguaiaensis is considered endangered.