Commercialized areas that create agricultural runoffs and industrialized zones can affect the health of the La Plata dolphin, especially in regards to their contributions of waste and pollution, which can lead to habitat degradation and poisoned food among other concerns.

[citation needed] The La Plata dolphin is the only species in its genus, Pontoporia, and is often placed in its own family, Pontoporiidae.

It was first described by Paul Gervais and Alcide d'Orbigny in 1844 (the species epithet blainvillei commemorates the French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville).

The La Plata dolphin has the longest beak (as a proportion of body size) of any extant cetacean — as much as 15% in older adults.

The crescent-shaped blowhole lies just in front of a crease in the neck, giving the impression that dolphin forever has its head cricked upwards.

The size of La Plata testes in relation to their body mass may reveal that they primarily perform serial monogamy.

There is evidence that suggests that La Plata have a reproductive cycle of two years; however, more is required to make any legitimate claims.

Their reported range is from the opening of the Doce River, Regencia, Espirito Santo, Brasil to Peninsula Valdes in Chubut Province, Argentina.

Waste and pollution from these areas lead to habitat degradation and toxic chemicals in fish that dolphins feed on.

[12] Since the La Plata dolphin is a small mammal and their habitat is regularly hunted by sharks and killer whales, they are generally quiet in nature and inhabit shallow coastal waters.

Scientists from all three countries have voiced their concerns, and asked for international assistance in highlighting the plight of the dolphin (see Reeves et al., pg.

CMS Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.

It is listed on Appendix II[14] as it has an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements.