Wild Bottlenose Dolphin Conservation

Bottlenose dolphins are marine animals that live in coastal waters such as Sarasota Bay, Florida. Like you, dolphins are mammals. They are warm blooded, breathe air, give birth, and feed their young (called calves) milk. They even have hair on their beaks briefly when they are born. Dolphin calves usually stay with their mothers for 3 to 6 years, until they have learned to live on their own. During this time they learn how to make sounds that help them communicate with each other, navigate, and find food. Sounds called signature whistles are developed in the first few months of life and act as a dolphin’s name. Other sounds called echolocation clicks are used to find food and to navigate in the murky estuarine waters in which they live. Unfortunately, these intelligent animals face many dangers, and people are their biggest threat. Dolphins can get hit by boats, become wrapped in fishing line, or eat something unnatural and harmful.

You can help keep wild dolphins safe by following these simple steps:
1) Recycle fishing gear.
2) Collect trash.
3) Stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins.
4) Share the information you learned in this video with your friends and family.

Since 1970, the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) has been dedicated to studying, conserving, and educating the community about these amazing animals.

To learn more, visit www.sarasotadolphin.org