The Truth About Human/Wild Dolphin Interactions (Narrative)

It is no surprising that people have been wanting to interact with marine mammals since the release of the Flipper TV series and the Free Willy movies. However, little do many of these people know that interacting with a wild dolphin is not only dangerous but, it can affect their behavior too. Many of these dolphins seek human interaction as their form of companionship. Learn more about why this is not a safe thing to do at http://www.dontfeedwilddolphins.org/

Category:

Pets & Animals

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• animals
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• marine mammals
• cetaceans
• whales
• dolphins
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• bottlenose dolphin
• wild dolphins
• feeding wild animals
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• swim with wild dolphins
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• Flipper
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• don't feed wild dolphins
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• whale and dolphin cruises
• nature
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• sealife
• dolphin conservation
• whale
• conservation

[imthebottomline]

I don't think swimming and interacting with them is a problem as most of the time dolphins seek the interaction and approach the humans. However common sense should prevail and most people don't have basic common sense. Don't feed dolphins in the wild, dont harass or chase dolphins and try to force interactions, dolphins are intelligent and just like humans their personalities vary and any dolphin can have a happy day or moody day. So let them decide and if they wanna play they will let u know

[squito94]

I saw a wild dolphin off the coast of Fire Island, New York at Ocean Beach. It was in very shallow water foraging and some guy was trying to catch up with it looking to interact. I wouldn't even think of getting in the water with one of those let alone interact with a wild one.

[OrcaLove13]

Dolphins have interests in people, not all people feed them when they swim with them and dolphins come up to people when people are in the water and show no aggression they only mean to play. the only aggression dolphins show is if there being caught or feeling thretend

[barehandedpowerslide]

ive surfed for years, dolphins bite hard....end of story, dont take thier waves either

[shineluvslambiel]

just don't feed the dolphins then? I stil dont see what's wrong with just playing/interacting with dolphins

[alchemistarthulia]

There are responsible ways to interact safely with wild dolphins (ie - watching them from afar, not interfering with their lives etc). I have been to one wild dolphin feeding program that feeds wild dolphins only 5% of their natural diet so that they do not become dependent on humans.

At least they aren't in captivity and totally dependent on humans for survival. That is a perversion of nature itself.

[marineparkvids1]

I agree in most cases, but there are responsible wild dolphin interaction tours that make sure they are not interupting the dolphin's daily routines.

[Lucatheking16]

Good video and its very true

[Hyak44]

It must be wondered...is a wild dolphin that seeks human interaction and can no longer hunt properly truely wild,or is it now a misplaced captive dolphin that must be taken care of.......