Segments in this Video

Manatees and Pink River Dolphins (04:39)


Exotic animals live in the waterways of Manaus. Dolphins steal fish caught in a fisherman's nets. Manatees in the same waters struggle because they are hunted or become injured by boats and other water vehicles.

Elbina Manatee Sanctuary (04:38)

The sanctuary is a haven for aquatic wildlife; experts like to rehabilitate and release animals back into the wild. A team of people cleans a tank while others carry a manatee out of the tank to ensure it is healthy. Staff members prepare vegetarian meal and collect water lettuce.

Adapting to an Urban Jungle (03:48)

A giant river otter will remain at an aquatic animal sanctuary for the remainder of its life. Giant river otters are social animals. Pink river dolphins thrive in the urban jungle of Manaus because of their natural abilities.

Pink River Dolphins (03:09)

Pink river dolphins use echolocation to navigate and find food. They swing their heads from side to side, play, catch fish, and steal fish from one another. People in Manaus throw fish to the dolphins.

Saving Manatees (05:16)

A manatee lives at the Balbino Sanctuary because it was hit by a boat’s propeller and cannot be released back into the wild. The manatee swims to the staff to get a bath. Orphaned sibling manatees are placed in a tank together.

Human and Dolphin Interaction (03:34)

Pink river dolphins and manatees live in the waters of Manaus. A man swims with dolphins and feeds them. Swimming with the dolphins helps disabled children improve their confidence.

Pirarucu (04:10)

In the Amazon River, Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes collide but do not mix because of oxygen and temperature differences. Pirarucu are one of the largest freshwater fish and have a fearsome reputation.

Restocking Pirarucu (03:24)

Intense fishing has taken a major toll in Manaus. Pirarucu are moving toward extinction, but one man breeds them to restock wild populations.

Aquatic Diversity (03:40)

Red-bellied piranhas have good hearing to locate prey in murky water. Needlefish have incredible eyesight and eat insects on the surface of the water. Arowanas jump out of the water to catch insects. Tambaqui crush seeds with their teeth, and Bryon jump out of the water to catch seeds in the air.

Capybaras (02:10)

The semiaquatic rodent is the largest in the world. It eats grasses that grow in rivers and are good seed dispersers. To escape from predators, they swim well and stay underwater for minutes; capybaras swim every day at the Tropical Zoo.

Animal Legends (03:33)

Some people believe pink river dolphins are shape-shifters that become immaculately dressed humans at night. A man communicates with them by playing instruments and singing. The dolphins feel the vibrations of the sounds and swim up to him.

Life Above the Water (06:24)

People gather and sell cardinal tetras because they are popular in aquariums. Squirrel monkeys on a populated beach eat insects, leaves, flowers, and food from people. Whiteface capuchins catch clams and bang them against a tree until they open.

Credits: Life in the Water—World's Wildest City: Manaus (00:31)

Credits: Life in the Water—World's Wildest City: Manaus

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Life in the Water—World's Wildest City: Manaus

Part of the Series : World's Wildest City: Manaus
DVD (Chaptered) Price: $169.95
DVD + 3-Year Streaming Price: $254.93
3-Year Streaming Price: $169.95



Manaus was established on the banks of the Rio Negro, one of the major tributaries of the mighty Amazon River. In this episode, we follow the fortunes of two inhabitants of this tributary: river dolphins and manatees. While the manatees struggle to adapt to sharing the river with humans, the dolphins have figured out how to take fish from nets to survive. The people of Manaus also share the waterways with other exotic fish, including the pirarucu, the largest freshwater fish in the world, reaching a length of almost 10 feet.

Length: 51 minutes

Item#: BVL165878

ISBN: 978-1-64481-653-0

Copyright date: ©2013

Closed Captioned

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Not available to Home Video and Publisher customers.