Dolphins are some of the most beautiful creatures on earth and when it comes to dolphin conservation we all as a world need to do more. They are playful, fun to watch and intelligent and it is amazing that they are still dying everyday due to many things that we do and don’t do. Man is such a great threat to dolphins. Not only are nets one of the biggest threats because they are in danger of drowning, but many of the various species of dolphins have a low birth rate which means the population doesn’t grow quickly. Fishing in some areas can be a threat to them, as can reckless boat users who are not used to where they live. Finally, marine pollution is a serious threat to dolphin conservation because they can accidentally eat plastic bags or numerous other pieces of trash we throw in the ocean. In general polluted waters can make dolphins very sick.
What is interesting to note is that with all marine animals, at least in some countries, dolphins are actually legally protected by protection acts and other laws that deal in dolphin conservation. As stated above, while entanglements in fishing nets can still be a major concern, in some areas it is simply the fact that we as a society are destroying their natural habitat which can cause them the loss of food.
To really protect the dolphins in the wild, we must protect their natural habitats. Although some species such as the bottlenose dolphin seem to be thriving, many other dolphins like hector dolphins, the Chinese river dolphin, the Indus River dolphin and others are considered to be vulnerable. Dolphins are loved by people, but unfortunately getting too close to a dolphin can actually cause its death. Things like boat propellers can cut them quite deeply. They can have general illness from ingesting foreign objects that tourists give them when they are feeding them. Just the unnatural quality of food can literally cause them to die. Dolphin conservation is put into place for a reason and that reason is to keep them safe.
Here are some things you can do to help with dolphin conservation. You can stop littering. It is the garbage that can easily make its way to sea where a dolphin can eat it or get tangled in it. On the same token, if you are on a beach and you see litter, please pick it up so that it doesn’t even get to the ocean. When you are in a boat and you spot dolphins, it is important to remember to slow down and avoid turning suddenly. You should never reverse the boat or harass them by driving around them. If they move away, don’t follow them, and when you are moving away make sure you do so slowly. Lastly, if you ever see a dolphin stranded on the beach anywhere, make sure to call the Department of Conservation where they can help the animal. Dolphin conservation is something that the professionals handle, but we can certainly do our part to keep them as safe as possible.
