Feeding Dolphins

Sometimes humans try to give food to wild dolphins. This poses a threat to the dolphins. It’s illegal, and it’s dangerous for the humans too.

Dolphins are born to be hunters, not beggars. When people feed them, it can teach the dolphin bad habits. Mother dolphins that beg may fail to teach their young how to forage for food.

Sometimes, begging for food becomes a way of survival for dolphins, and they become dependent on human handouts. Begging dolphins often are not healthy.

Dive deeper. See dolphin animated video

In some cases, the dolphins lose their fear of people while begging. Sometimes, begging dolphins are hurt when they get too close to a boat’s propeller.

Sometimes, hanging around boats causes a dolphin to be tangled in fishing hooks and line, and this can be fatal. In at least one case, a dolphin taking discarded fish thrown to them by anglers was attacked and killed by a shark.

People are at risk too. It is not uncommon for begging dolphins to get aggressive when they don’t receive the hand-out they expect.

People have been bitten by begging dolphins. People have also been fined for feeding and harassing the animals.

People have been bitten by begging dolphins

You can help dolphins by educating others. Many people do not know about the laws that protect dolphins. Feeding dolphins breaks the law. By sharing this information with your friends and boaters, we are all helping protect dolphins.

Click here to download a pdf with Dolphin Friendly Fishing Tips

All photos © Sarasota Dolphin Research Program under NMFS permit #522-1785

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