Swiss photographer Hussain Aga Khan has received high commendation in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his stunning underwater portrait of an Amazon river dolphin, also known as a boto. His photograph, titled "A Closer Look," was selected as one of 1,695 entries in the Adult Wildlife Photographer of the Year category, specifically in the Underwater section that focuses on revealing life beneath the water's surface.
The award-winning image captures a gracefully agile Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) swimming near a pontoon along the Rio Negro river in Manaus, Brazil. Khan's portrait showcases the wild boto in its natural habitat, demonstrating the aesthetic beauty of underwater marine life while highlighting the behavior and environment of these remarkable mammals. The photograph was taken using a Canon EOS R5 camera with an 815mm f4 fisheye lens, shot at 1/125 second at f6.3 with ISO 2000 settings.
While the location provides opportunities for wildlife tourism, where tourists can pay to feed these Amazon river dolphins, the practice raises significant conservation concerns. Wildlife tourism can help boost conservation interest and awareness, but it may also cause harm if the dolphins become overly reliant on human feeding. This dependency can alter their natural behavior patterns and potentially impact their survival skills in the wild.
The conservation challenges facing Amazon river dolphins are severe and alarming. In Brazil's Mamirauá Reserve, the boto population has declined by a devastating 70 percent over the 22-year period leading up to 2018. This dramatic population decline reflects broader threats to the species throughout their range in South America. Additionally, botos are often used as bait for catching vulture catfish, which is in high demand in local markets, further threatening their survival.
Recognizing the urgent need for protection, the Brazilian government renewed its fishing ban on vulture catfish in 2023 to help limit the use of botos as bait. This legislative action represents an important step in conservation efforts, though much more work remains to be done to ensure the long-term survival of these unique freshwater dolphins.
Hussain Aga Khan, based in Switzerland, has developed a passionate interest in conservation from a young age. Through multiple photographic expeditions across various geographical areas and habitats, he has built an impressive archive that documents wildlife and natural environments around the world. His work extends beyond photography, as he actively raises awareness and inspires international audiences to protect the most threatened places and species on our planet through exhibitions, publications, and educational talks.
Khan's contribution to wildlife photography and conservation literature includes four published books: "Animal Voyage" (2004), "Diving into Wildlife" (2015), "Fragile Beauty" (2022), and "The Living Sea" (2022). His dedication to combining artistic excellence with conservation messaging has made him a respected voice in the wildlife photography community, and his Amazon river dolphin portrait continues this tradition of using powerful imagery to highlight both natural beauty and environmental challenges.
