Endangered Dolphins

When it comes to one of the most adorable and intelligent marine mammals, I think dolphins would rule the roost. I am sure you would give a nod of approval if you have seen films like Flipper or television series like Dolphin Cove. Unfortunately, these lovely and human-friendly creatures are under a threat of becoming woefully less in number, thanks to some of our indiscriminate and rash practices. Here's exploring more on this issue.

Facts About Dolphins

The basic fact is that there are several species of dolphins and all of them are not endangered or under a threat of getting extinct. If you take the list, it includes Hector's dolphin, the Amazon river dolphin, the Indopacific humpback dolphin, the Baiji or Chinese white dolphin, the Dusky dolphin, Striped dolphin, and the Tucuxi (pronounced as tookooshee). Further, a startling fact about some of these endangered animals is that the number of these dolphins has plummeted almost by 40% in the past couple of years or so. Amongst these too, the Indopacific humpback dolphin, Baiji and pink dolphin, unfortunately, are almost on the verge of being declared extinct due to their decreased number, counting just to a few hundred. About the other species it is difficult to label them as being on the verge of extinction because there is not enough accurate data about them. Perhaps the count would increase once that survey and study is done. The reasons for this are pretty obvious, still let's take a look at them.

Why are Dolphins an Endangered Species?

To begin with, by catching is a major culprit in the declining number of dolphins. By catching refers to unintentional taking in, of fish and marine animals in association with the commercial operations. The worst part is that after being caught in the net, they are thrown back, unawares whether they are dead or alive. Dolphins, turtles and a few other animals are the most common victims of this practice. Another reason contributing to the diminishing number of these lovely creatures is illegal hunting. Perhaps this is one of the most heart wrenching and painful reasons. What happens is sheer cruelty. In a bid to catch other fish, if dolphins are seen around the boat, they are shot and killed barbarically. The justification being that they scare off other fish.

Further, water pollution caused by industries and factories are life-threatening for smaller sea animals who are compelled to carry these toxins, due to natural course of living, in their blood stream or anywhere in their body. This is often transported to bigger animals and mammals unknowingly, when they eat the smaller ones. All over the world dolphins and other creatures are many times found dead on the beaches, on account of water pollution. Finally, encroachment upon the natural habitat by humans has led to dolphins becoming an endangered species. Pink river dolphins, in North America have been the worst victims of these factors.

How to Save Dolphins

As we have dug a hole for these amicable creatures, it is our duty to help improve their condition. The first step in this direction would be to stop illegal hunting. It is not exactly a sign of sanity to kill these beautiful dolphins, on the pretext that they scare off other fish. Even if that is so, there must be other ways to do that. Dealing with pollution is a big and tough ask, and has to be done at a global level. However, if we take micro steps to that aim, at our small level, it can help in improving the condition. One way could be to emphasize the need to do something about this problem. For kids, especially, since they are the one's who will be losing out on this wonderful mammal. Once this is sown in their young minds, they would surely do something about it!

Eventually, I feel this problem can be improved by an overall consciousness about environment and an attitude of concern about other living creatures! If we are not empathetic and concerned about other creatures, then we would spell doom for ourselves.

I sign off here with a request to all those who fish, that please be careful and think twice before you cast your fishing net.