By Suzanne Smith
Like many of you, I have read, in horror, the stories of the baby dolphin in Argentina who died as a result of mob mentality trying to take a selfie with this animal as they passed her around on a beach. My heart aches for this tiny, helpless creature more and more with each article that I read and video I watch. I think about the numerous dolphin calves I have worked with over the years and how fragile they can be at the beginning of their lives. Some mothers are excellent caregivers, but some calves have needed our help. Through long hours and cold nights, we give every ounce of ourselves around the clock to make sure these little animals survive. And as I struggle to understand what happened to this innocent dolphin, I find myself becoming enraged by this senseless tragedy. It didn’t have to happen! It is a harsh reminder of why global conservation education is so extremely important. We have to work as a community to educate and get the messages to everyone, far and wide.
There are many wonderful conservation projects in South America for all kinds of species. There are groups like INPA and ICMBio, but their resources are limited. There is a need for observers, rangers, and equipment that is simply not readily available in so many parts of the world.
It is amazing to see animals that we cherish in their natural environment when it is untouched and pristine. It is indeed the best way to see them. There are eco-tour groups that interact with animals in a responsible and legal manner. You can go out your backdoor or travel around the world. If this is how you choose to view wildlife, do you must do your research. The Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation is an example of an organization that leads expeditions each year where you are guaranteed to see a vast array of wildlife, including the Amazon river dolphin. You will do so in an environment that is safe for you and the animals.
Many of us have learned to love creatures great and small by visiting AMMPA and AZA accredited facilities. What a great asset to be able to visit these animals up close and personal. We can learn about an animal’s natural history, their behavior, their social structure, and what they like to eat by interacting with their caregivers. We are the messengers. Spending years alongside some of the most fascinating animals, whether through direct interactions, shows, or one to one conversations, I want to share my love and appreciation for these animals with everyone. Absolutely, our first priority is to provide the best care for the animals but through us our visitors can gain a greater respect and understanding for all animals. By learning more about the animals, those visitors can help be stewards for the wild counterparts.
The dolphin that we see in this story is the Franciscana dolphin, a.k.a La Plata dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei). It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. They are only found along the coasts of southeastern Brazil. Some refer to them as river dolpins, but they are a marine species. With a declining population, each individual is so important to the species as a whole. Gill nets, pollution and habitat degradation are challenges that the Franciscana dolphin must face every day. Yes, causes all directly linked to humans. It is time for us to take responsibility and care for our planet.
In the United States, all marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). If you should find a marine mammal in distress, contact your local marine mammal stranding center immediately. If you do not know the number, alert a nearby lifeguard or contact local authorities. If the animal is alive, do not ever try to push the animal back into the ocean. Keep it wet and protected from the sun without covering the blowhole. Be sure to have location details for the stranding network, be specific as possible using GPS coordinates, landmarks, etc. Trained stranding network personnel will respond to the location and make an appropriate assessment that is in the best interest of the animal. Most of all, keep crowds away from the animal. The animal is likely sick or injured. Any number of people will only contribute to the stress of the animal, and ultimately its’ demise.
The young Franciscana dolphin has been on my mind every minute since I learned of the tragedy. I refuse to let her die in vain. Let’s teach the lessons and work to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We need to continue to inspire and engage not only our guests, but our family and friends. We need to teach them about the animals and the environment all around us. We need to teach them the importance of supporting conservation based zoos and aquariums. We need to teach them what they can do to help animals in the wild. We need to teach them the importance of actions such as recycling and removing debris from beaches. We are the leaders. We are the examples. It starts with us. Let’s show them how it’s done!
Suzanne Smith has a passion for marine mammals and is a strong advocate for environmental conservation. She is the Executive Director and Founder of the Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation (ARDCF). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Salem State University. She has worked with numerous marine mammal species both under human care and in the wild. Her contributions to marine mammals have been featured on PBS, BBC, and SeaRescue. Ms. Smith’s award winning project with the Amazon river dolphins was presented at the 2015 conference of the International Marine Animal Trainers Association. With the continuing development of ARDCF, Ms. Smith is dedicated to increasing awareness of the plight of river dolphins and how to conserve this species.