Like so many other animals in our OCEANS, dolphins are up against their fair share of challenges, putting pressure on a species already vulnerable to extinction. Will you help stop their biggest threats?
Dolphins may seem perfectly crafted for a carefree life under the sea, but lately, they have reasons to feel anything but. From the orca to the Hector's dolphin, these cetaceans are facing pressures to their populations.
What are the biggest threats to dolphins today?
- Noise pollution — commercial shipping results in a cacophony of noise that confuses dolphins. The ocean is so loud these days, they must “shout" to each other, but usually it’s never loud enough.
- Fishing gear — It’s estimated 300,000 whales and dolphins are unintentionally killed every year because they get trapped in fishing equipment. Many more could be entangled in marine debris, like trash and plastic.
- Boats — Research indicates that small marine mammals are hit by boats more often than previously thought. This was the case for a four-month-old dolphin in Sarasota Bay.
- Climate change — Changes in sea temperature, melting of ice, distribution of sea ice, and decline of prey populations all are a result of a warming planet. In February 2023, a pod of whales was seen trapped inside drift ice due to a lack of wind in the area. In an attempt to escape, their mouths were left bloody.
What will happen if we don’t stop these threats?
Dolphins may go extinct. Sadly, this has already happened. The Yangtze River dolphin, once found in the Yangtze River, is now believed to be extinct — the first cetacean to have this fate because of humans. No Yangtze River dolphin has been recorded in the river’s waters for over 40 years.
Let’s ensure no other dolphins face a similar fate. Donate to VAKOVAKO to support nonprofits who are working tirelessly to protect dolphins and our OCEANS.
