A recent expedition in the village of Pebas, Peru, has uncovered the fossil of the largest river dolphin in history, named Pebanista yacuruna. This ancient species lived approximately 16 million years ago in what is now the Loreto region of Peru.
The discovery highlights the rich paleontological potential of the Amazon, as researchers plan further explorations into previously uncharted areas near the Colombia border. The team aims to secure funding for an expedition in 2025, focusing on uncovering more fossils and understanding the ancient ecosystems of the proto-Amazon.
During this year's reconnaissance trip, funded by the American Museum of Natural History and the Field Museum of Chicago, researchers found various fossils, including another type of dolphin skull. The region is known for its incredible diversity, having yielded seven crocodile species in just 200 square meters, showcasing the area's unique evolutionary history.
The Pebanista yacuruna has made its mark in the Guinness World Records as the largest discovered freshwater dolphin species, estimated to have measured between 3 and 3.5 meters (9 feet 10 inches to 11 feet 5 inches) in length during the Miocene epoch.