Overview
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Dolphins are incredibly intelligent marine mammals and, like orcas and pilot whales, are members of the toothed whale family. They are found around the world, usually in shallow continental shelf waters, and are carnivores, feeding mostly fish and crabs. Dolphin coloration varies, but with darker backs than the rest of their bodies, they are ordinarily tan. Dolphins are seen more often in calmer waters beyond their historical ranges, as global warming continues the oceans and seas to warm.
The primary food sources of dolphins seek more in-depth, calmer waters because of increasingly increasing ocean temperatures. Scientists worry that it would be difficult for dolphins to adjust as quickly as possible to find new feeding grounds to support their populations. As ocean levels rise due to climate change, some dolphins that live in areas where rivers and oceans meet, known as murky water, are also losing home.
Protectors’ Impact
Protectors are battling any effort to undermine the Marine Mammal Protection Act and all the protections that it gives to marine mammals such as dolphins. As a preservation participant of the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Management Team, Protectors serve as critical stakeholders convened under the MMPA to counsel the National Marine Fisheries Service on bycatch reductions for this species. Currently, we are filing lawsuits against seismic blasting in the Atlantic We also oppose the development of offshore oil and natural gas in the Arctic and Atlantic and encourage management practices for wildlife- including whale-friendly offshore.
Natural History
In either freshwater or saltwater, dolphins will live. They range from close to the equator to low latitude waters, dispersed in marine environments worldwide and can be found in several major river basins. In warm and temperate waters, the standard and bottlenose dolphins are broadly distributed. They are quick swimmers; in short bursts, the bottlenose can reach almost 30 km/hr (18.5 mph), and common dolphins are indeed quicker. Many species attract and sometimes follow moving ships, jumping alongside and often surfing the waves produced by the vessels’ bows.
Some coastal oceanic dolphin species spend large amounts of time in freshwater. While some spend their lives in coastal waters, some river dolphins live in lakes that may be several million kilometers from the shore. Dolphins are communal, from five to several thousand, gathering in schools. All are carnivorous, feeding on fish, invertebrates, and another squid.
Threats
People have pursued dolphins for their meat and fat for decades. Their biggest threat today comes from inadvertently being trapped in commercial fishing nets. Dolphins must periodically rise to the surface to breathe, which prevents them from being trapped in nets, leading to drowning. Due to climate change, changing ocean temperatures have forced some of their primary sources of food to migrate into deeper, cooler water for Maine dolphins. Also, underwater heatwaves, often caused by global warming, seem to impact dolphins’ fertility rate and survival ability.
Adopting A White-Sided Dolphin
In the calm, isolated inlets of coastal British Columbia, Canada, a group of Pacific white-sided dolphins are home to a species historically located miles from shore. The Oceans Initiative team has been traveling to this specific region, known as the Great Bear Sea, to study this beautiful tri-coloured dolphin for the past 11 years. We can identify changes in the health and climate of the population by tracking these dolphins yearly. By photographing
distinctive marks on their dorsal fins and monitoring the dolphins over time, scientists from the Oceans Project have come to know these dolphins as people. By symbolically adopting a Pacific white-sided dolphin, you will help the conservation efforts of the Oceans Initiative. To advance our non-invasive, lengthy research and preserve this magnificent marine mammal population, your tax-deductible contribution provides the required funding. You will make a positive contribution to this critical research by metaphorically embracing a dolphin.
How the Symbolic Adoption Works
For a tax-deductible donation of USD 40 or two years for USD 75, you can choose to adopt your dolphin for one year. We also have a unique opportunity for a tax-deductible donation of USD 250. to adopt a dolphin for life. As a gift, or in remembrance of someone extraordinary, you can adopt a dolphin for yourself. You can see that there are actual names for some of the dolphins eligible for adoption. Others have an Identification number that determines the position we saw the dolphin for our team, whether we see the left or right side of the dorsal fin and the order in which the dolphin was shot.
It is a rare and unusual opportunity to name a dolphin, granting you lifelong naming rights to your dolphin for a minimum proposed donation of USD 750. Your dolphin, which now bears the name you chose, will continue to be adopted by other donors. If you are serious about naming a dolphin, please contact me.
Bottlenose Dolphins
In Australian waters and several oceans worldwide, Bottlenose Dolphins are found. You are aiding our organization to track and preserve these amazing marine mammals by adopting one of our Koombana Bay dolphins. Your donation will help increase our public education services, have safe contact with people, and support our study and research programs. Globally, Bottlenose Dolphins and other marine mammals face growing pressure from human activities, so we must remain cautious despite numbers being plentiful. We have a better chance of ensuring their survival with increased public knowledge of dolphins and marine protection. By adopting a Koombana Bay Bottlenose Dolphin, you will only have the pleasure of knowing that you are making a real difference, but you will also receive gifts of gratitude according to the degree of your commitment.
Conclusion
The Adopt a Dolphin Initiative of the Dolphin Exploration Centres promotes dolphin conservation and the broader aquatic ecosystems. In Australian waters and many oceans globally, Bottlenose Dolphins are reported. You are aiding our organization to track and preserve these amazing marine mammals by adopting one of our Koombana Bay dolphins. Your donation will help us increase our public education services, have safe contact with people, and support our study and research programs.
Globally, Bottlenose Dolphins and other marine mammals face growing pressure from human activities, so we must remain cautious despite numbers being plentiful. We have a better chance of ensuring their survival with increased public knowledge of dolphins and marine protection. By raising a Koombana Bay Bottlenose Dolphin, you will only have the pleasure of knowing that you are making a difference. Still, you will also receive gifts of gratitude according to the degree of your commitment.