Interesting article on Dolphin Encounters

[Disneefun]

For those thinking about doing Dolphin or other marine life encounters/swims on their shore excursions, this is an interesting article on the swims and some of the possible effects they have on marine life. It comes from the July issue of Conde Nast Traveler. I might rethink some of my shore excursion plans....

http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/Editorial/Article/data/cntraveler/2004/07jul/sp2.xml/

 

[1stNoel]

Thanks for the article. We dove Kealakekua Bay in July and didn't see any dolphins or turtles, when we'd seen literally hundreds of dolphins here on previous trips. In the past years I have seen some pretty disturbing behavior by "eco" tour guides though. Chasing down whales, whale sharks and dolphins in their boats and coming way too close to the animals and people in the water. The animals are heading for safer waters and I can't say I blame them, but I will miss seeing them.

I semi-disagree with the articles take on dolphin programs. I'm sure there are bad programs out there, but the facilities I've been to really loved their animals and were pretty strict about how you could interact with them. I think you are right in saying that people should research who they book with though. While I feel sorry for any caged animal, these programs do serve a very important purpose. They provide a forum where people are able to make a special connection with an amazing animal. The more you learn and the more connected you are to dolphins, the more likely you are to protect them and our oceans. Kids totally get this message, adults are usually a little harder to teach.

 

[kcashner]

Swimming with wild dolphins is a different matter from the dolphin encounters or swims we've experienced on cruise ship excursions or at Discovery Cove in Orlando. Thanks for the article...but it really doesn't apply to the dolphin experiences offered thru DCL.

 

[Billinaz]

If you look at the Dolphin Encounters in Nassau it is easy to see that the dolphins stay there by choice.

They could very easily leave by jumping out of the pens that are there.

 

[mrsltg]

I second what Kcashner said. You should never approach a wild animal. Dolphins in the wild can/will bite. Trained dolphins won't. We'll be doing the dolphin excursion, but these are trained animals. I would never approach a wild animal - it's always a bad idea.

Erin