If You Love to See Dolphins in Our Ocean, Don't feed them!!
It’s tempting to feed a wild dolphin. It seems like such an innocent and harmless thing. But feeding wild dolphins can have deadly consequences for them and can place people in real danger.
Feeding dolphins gets them “hooked” on handouts. The animals can lose their ability to find and catch their own food. Dolphins that become dependent on humans have been known to abandon their young, leaving calves alone to fight off predators and in danger of starving. Young dolphins, not yet taught to forage naturally on their own, are at the most risk.
“People have an enduring fascination with dolphins, so it’s understandable that they want to feed wild dolphins when the animals approach boats,” says Rob Hepworth, Executive Secretary of CMS. “I hope once they understand the potential harm to the animals, they will stop.”
Dolphins that are unafraid of people are more likely to endanger themselves by approaching boats, spending time in areas with intensive vessel traffic, and getting tangled in fishing gear. Also, wild dolphins that have become accustomed to being fed have charged, bitten, and injured people.
Viewing wildlife in its natural habitat can be a wonderful and educational experience. Although tempting to try to get close enough to interact with wild animals, it is important to remember that their behavior can be unpredictable and aggressive. Thus, it’s always best to view all wildlife from a safe and respectful distance, remembering that wild animals are just that – wild.
For a safe and enjoyable experience with wild dolphins that helps protect them:
Keep your distance. Remain a safe and respectful distance of 100 yards from animals. Use binoculars or zoom lenses to get a close-up look. Dolphins have been injured by propellers, so if on the water, avoid excessive boat speed or abrupt changes in speed or direction. Stay fully clear of a dolphin’s path. If approached by the animals, put the engine in neutral and allow them to pass.
Limit time spent observing animals. Encounters with people can be stressful to animals and can alter their normal behaviors. Half an hour is reasonable. Chances are you haven’t been the only one to watch the animal that day.
Stay clear of
mothers with young. Never herd, chase,
or separate a mother from its calf.
Never surround an animal. Always leave an “escape” route. Dolphins should not be trapped between boats, or between boats and shore.
And, most importantly: Don’t feed wild animals.
To help people better understand how they
can help, CMS offers several references for the public:
CMS whale watching guidelines: www.cms.int/publications/pdf/CMS_WildlifeWatching.pdf
The Guide to Responsible Wildlife Watching: www.ammpa.org/doc_watchablewildlife.html
U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service campaign: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/education/protectdolphins.htm
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This article was contributed by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), an international association of marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study, and wildlife presentations.
