Who are we?
DDR in a nutshell
Dauphins de Rangiroa (DDR), which means "Rangiroa Dolphins" in English is an NGO dedicated to research, citizen science, conservation, and public outreach on Rangiroa bottlenose dolphins in the Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia. Indeed, these dolphins have been targeted by chronic intrusive dolphin watching practices for about 20 years.
Born in 2019, the NGO has a 17-year monitoring experience on Rangiroa bottlenose dolphins and a 10-year experience with volunteers from all over the world who join us every year to help the NGO complete its fieldwork.
Areas of focus and partnerships
We focus our research on:
A demographic monitoring of the bottlenose dolphin community inhabiting Northern Rangiroa Atoll.
The dolphins' behavioral changes and risks associated with their interactions with scuba diving tourism.
The implementation of ethical and sustainable cetacean tourism in French Polynesia.
DDR is a member of the Observatoire des cétacés in France and of the Réseau national d'échouages de mammifères marins (national marine mammal stranding network).
To achieve this, we focus on the history and personality of each of the dolphins in the Tiputa community, and we are supported by:
Pamela Carzon
Our studies specifically focus on the effects of scuba diving tourism on Rangiroa bottlenose dolphins’ behavior and the potential risks for both the humans and dolphins associated with close underwater interactions. A PhD thesis was conducted on this topic by Pamela Carzon (PSL Paris Sciences et Lettres Université).
President of the association, Pamela Carzon has been monitoring the Tiputa bottlenose dolphin community for seventeen years.
Published research
The association moves forward thanks to its members and supporters
Become a member →Latest news
In July: encounters, project, and astonishing underwater observation!
Encounters and exchanges This month of July has been very busy for Dauphins de Rangiroa.
Read more
The Anavai Foundation launches a fundraiser to help the dolphins of Rangiroa!
Over the past fifteen years, more than one in five dolphins has disappeared from the Tiputa area in Rangiroa.
Read more
In June, 'Dauphins de Rangiroa' takes part in a shoot for France 2
Ten days of shooting were necessary to collect the images that will be used to produce a 26-minute report broadcast at the end of 2026 on the program …
Read more
News from the REMMOA II survey: the Marquesas
We are entering the final stretch of the REMMOA 2026 survey with our arrival at Hiva Oa, from where we are exploring the Marquesas archipelago. The is…
Read more
News from the REMMOA II survey: stopover in Makemo
The observer and pilot teams of the REMMOA 2026 survey have recently been reshuffled before being deployed in the north and central-south of the Tuamo…
Read more
News from the REMMOA II survey: departure from the Austral Islands, transit through the Society Islands and settling in the Tuamotu
We are happy to have benefited from favorable weather in the Austral Islands, which allowed us to complete all the planned work around the islands of …
Read more