The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is offering a reward up to $20,000 for information regarding the recent murders of two dolphins in Florida.
A pair of dead dolphins were discovered 600 miles apart last week, each fatally wounded from what appeared to be a bullet and/or sharp object.
Biologists believe these slayings are the result of humans feeding wild animals.
Like ducks, deer, and other fauna, dolphins fed by people learn to associate them—and their land- or water-based vehicles—with food, potentially putting the creatures in harm’s way.
In this case, the aquatic mammals can suffer fatal impacts from boat strikes, entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear, and acts of intentional harm (because some people are just monsters).
So, no matter how adorable the bottlenose cetaceans appear, do not serve them your leftovers. Dolphins are quite capable of baiting their own meals, thankyouverymuch.
Injured dolphin
(via Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Despite the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits the harassment, hunting, killing, or feeding of wild dolphins, at least 29 Delphinidae have been stranded in the southeast US, shot by guns or arrows or impaled with objects like fishing spears.
Four incidents occurred within the last year.
Violations may be prosecuted civilly or criminally, and are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in jail (per offense).
A reward is also available for help in the ongoing investigation into a dead dolphin, found with a fatal puncture wound to its head in May 2019, off Captiva Island, Fla.
If you have information about any of these incidents, please call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964. Tips may be left anonymously.
NOAA does actively enforce these prohibitions.
The agency recently charged a Kansas man $1,250 for feeding a dolphin while on vacation in Florida. And in 2009, it convicted a fishing captain for making homemade pipe bombs and throwing them at dolphins.
More on Geek.com:
- Male Dolphin Found Dead, Impaled in Head in Southwest Florida
- Watch: Rescuers Form Human Chain to Help Stranded Dolphins
- Grieving Dolphin Captured on Video Carrying Dead Calf in Florida Waters
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