What Dangers Does a Baby Dolphin Have?

Dolphins are one of the most intelligent and entertaining species of mammal. Numerous varieties live in the world's major seas and oceans. They can always be relied upon to captivate wildlife-watchers, such is their friendly, charismatic nature. Unfortunately wild dolphins face an increasing number of health threats, often through the fault of man. Baby dolphins come into a world where they not only have to contend with natural survival threats but also those caused by human interference.

  1. Predation

    • All dolphins are a prey target for large sharks and killer whales. The risk of predation is one reason dolphins live in large groups, as they can warn each other of potential trouble and increase their chances of fighting back in large numbers. Young dolphins are most vulnerable, as they are less likely to be able to put up a defense and cannot swim as fast as adults.

    Pollution

    • Man is the biggest danger to all dolphins, not just young ones. Dumping toxic chemicals and waste matter into the sea gives rise to a large dolphin death toll. Pollutants take a long time to break down in the environment and are absorbed by organisms which animals higher up the food chain eat. Dolphins, near the top of the marine food chain, absorb large doses of the toxins from eating prey that feed on these organisms. The results of toxins in the blubber include lower reproduction success. Calves may also die from the spreading of toxins from their mother.

    Separation from Mother

    • A baby dolphin is extremely reliant upon its mother during the early years of its life and intuitively follows her wherever she goes. The calf nurses for up to 18 months and stays by its mother's side for about six years. Babies are fragile and unable to support themselves should they become separated from their mother.

    Getting Trapped

    • Young dolphins are often among the casualties of large, barely visible driftnets, which haul up everything in sight with the intention of catching large shoals of fish. Anything else caught is usually discarded but sometimes dolphins get trapped under water and die. Calves also become orphans when their mothers are caught in the nets.

    Killed by Fishermen

    • In some areas dolphins are killed by fishermen, who see them as competition for the fish they want to catch. In the Faroe Islands people have slaughtered large numbers of pilot whales, a species of dolphin, by corralling them into shallow waters, where they can catch them easily and chop them up to eat or remove them from water and leave them to rot.

    Captured for Entertainment

    • Dolphins are very popular in animal performance shows. They often die not long after being captured and the ones that live longer tend to become bored, leading to stress. Young dolphins borne by stressed mothers don't usually live long, as their mothers cannot provide the care they need.