Officials Respond, Dolphin Very Close To Shore
[Updated with video] A lone dolphin was spotted very close to shore in the West End today [Aug 12], and the Marine Police were called to the scene after receiving reports of what appeared to be a distressed marine mammal at Somerset Long Bay.
Police Media Manager Dwayne Caines said the Marine Police are liaising with Dolphin Quest and relevant marine stakeholders to seek a suitable outcome. Details are limited at this time, however we will update as able.
Photos courtesy of Surf Sup:
Update 3.02pm: The dolphin is still close to shore, and personnel from the Marine Police and Dolphin Quest remain on scene.
Someone who was on scene this morning told Bernews that the dolphin just appeared by the Nine Beaches Cottages this morning, and children and adults have been swimming with it, and the dolphin did “not seem at all bothered.”
The person said it would swim away about 50 yards, then come back and play around. He said the Dolphin Quest staff arrived and started ordering people not to go near the dolphin.
Additional photos & a quick video below:
Update 3.58pm: Personnel from the Aquarium and Dolphin Quest remain on scene.
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- Dolphin Leaves Somerset Waters, Heads To Sea | Bernews.com | August 14, 2013
- Officials Update NOAA After Dolphin Sighting | Bernews.com | August 15, 2013
PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT STEAL THIS DOLPHIN FROM IT’S NATURAL HABITAT.
To the members of the public who reported this; You must be very ignorant to think a dolphin is in distress because it’s ‘close to the shore’. If it is a baby alone, then perhaps it lost it’s mother somewhere and was feeding on smaller fish closer to shore to survive. It’s just surviving, not in distress.
Do not take this dolphin from our oceans! If this dolphin dies, then that is what nature intended.
“If the dolphin dies, then that is what nature intended”
How about you let your neighbors know that if they see you outside in your yard collapsed not to call 911 as you want to be eaten by the ants. If the Dolphin needs help then help it, plain and simple!
HAHAHAHAHAH dats funny!
LMAO!!That is funny!!!!!!!! But so True!!
I’m saying that so it doesn’t get taken into captivity, fool.
Good thing it’s got distinct markings …………
What a beautiful creature, free for now.Under what authority does Dolphin Stress ,who currently enslaves and exploits these magnificent mammals in a ridiculously undersized pool for profit,order anyone else to stay away. They are the ones who should be kept away before they capture and imprison it for entertaining humans who are alleged to have superior intelligence.If you think the dolphins are happy (they are always smiling)then just leave the gate open.If you want to observe dolphins go off shore where they normally reside.
Agree 100%
Sounds like the history of my people!!! LMAO
and de other people (white, etc) who were enslaved too…
You are very under educated if you truly believe that is what Dolphin Quest is about. Perhaps you should be quiet long enough to listen to those that know the science! The staff at DQ love those animals and make no mistake, they are very well cared for and live longer and better quality than the free dolphins who are subject to mans cruelty. The scientists who have studied marine mammals will tell you if you would only open your brain while closing your mouth.
WTF are you talking about. Answer me this. Would you like to be caged for the rest of your life?
I would prefer to be protected and cared for – not hunted. In an ideal world, yes freedom would be a better option.
However, just as many animals are protected the world over by being housed in reserves……..
Rosy,a reserve is usually designed to replicate a section of habitat i have never seen rectangular,. walled oceans. Harrington Sound might be more like a reserve but in my opinion,still as unacceptable as confining the First Nations to reservations,good evening.
@Rosey Hill
You need to take off the “rosey colored glasses” your total post is BS. Dolphin Quest are in the business of making of making a profit and no other reason.
What is the difference between studying dolphins in the wild and studying them in captivity? You learn absolutely nothing by studying them in captivity.
If Dolphin Quest is so concerned about dolphins (and not profit) they would set the dolphins free!!!
You are clueless and obviously believe the rhetoric they expound. Make no mistake, any dolphinarium (including Sea World and the like) are exploiting these animals in the name of $$. It’s nothing to do with education or saving animals. They put that spin on it because otherwise they would never be allowed to do what they do. Please do your research on animals on captivity. No mammal should ever be taken from its natural habitat for the sake of human entertainment, for any reason at all. I suggest watching ‘The Cove’ and ‘Blackfish’.
“taking kids to places like SeaWorld, we teach them that it’s OK to use animals for our entertainment– and to forcefully take them out of their wild environment, separate them from their families, imprison them in tiny unnatural enclosures and force them to do tricks for paying customers by depriving them of food. If we want to teach our kids how majestic and wonderful whales are, take them whale-watching.”
STOP suckin on PETA so hard…
Wow- you are suggesting that I care for animals too much? That’s your respones. I pity you.
i am about to pee my a$$ off, you lot are funny.
Agree 100% – what authority does Dolphin Quest have to tell people to not swim with it! It is a beautiful animal found in nature. I think Dolphin Quest sees $$$$ signs!
Could this be one of the Dolphins they released into the wild when Hurricane Fabian approached and were never seen again…they really are AXPERTS!
Dolphin Quest persons have no clue what they say.
The Dolphin is in it’s natural environment.
Leave it alone.
There have been over 80 dolphins washed up in Virginia /Maryland North Carolina in the past month.
Something is happening and as they say it could be a virus.
Let this guy do his/her thing.
Yah don’t bitch and moan when the big bouys haul in them 1000lbs marlins/Tuna………rape the reefs of lobsters and conies turbot hinds porgie shark……………………..
Have a rum.
Terry- actually I do. I don’t eat animals.
wat u eat grass den?! lmao
Don’t let Dolphin Quest take the dolphin into captivity.
Did anyone call Immugrashun and Customs yet?
Dolphins have the second highest IQ of any creature on planet Earth, only humans are smarter. However, the sad fact is that dolphins have IQ’s up to 160, when the average human has an IQ of 100. Some people have IQ’s of under 80. That means they are half as intelligent as a dolphin. Astounding, isn’t it? In fact, an IQ over 150 means you are regarded as a “Genius” and are eligable for membership at Mensa.
Brings to mind the man who was brough to court for a crime and it was announced to the courts that he has an IQ of only 75. What is this world coming to when human beings – adults even! – are not even half as intelligent as an ocean-dwelling creature!
Makes you want to try harder in life.
haha. Seriously? You must have a pretty low IQ to actually believe that there is some scientific way to measure the intelligence of an animal species against our own. A simple google search would have helped you realize that everything you just claimed is complete BS.
Ironic that DQ can tell bystanders to leave them alone. Those caged up dolphins in Dockyard bite people.
I have been at DQ every summer since they came to Bermuda and have had the priveledge of that experience. Never, not once, have I heard of anyone being bitten. Marine scientists know that bystanders will cause harm to the dolphins, hence the caution to leave them alone. Try reading a book once in a while Mike!
So if we should leave them alone why are we swimming in a tiny pool with them at DQ???
You totally just contradicted yourself because you’re trying to make yourself feel better at the fact that YOU have contributed to this cruel and greedy industry.
indeed.
Yet the guy from dolphinquest was apparently telling people they have sharp teeth and might bite the kids!
Just let it be free, possibly it will find it’s pod through sonar and it will be reunited.
D.Q. do not get any ideas to capture,you will feel the wrath of the public.
Why don’t they leave the Dolphin alone. Maybe other dolphins would stay near the shore and be very freindly to the people and attract tourist.
so you saying you want the dolphin replace crockwell… good idea. i’ll rather have a dolphin represent and get us tourist then crockwell cause he aint and doing sh*t
All they have to do is make it law that if you interfere with the dophins. catch them, take them out of the water and what not illegal. and we will be fine
That law already exists. It is a protected species.
Hello fellow marine biologists and dolphin specialists! Ya’ll know sooo much of what to do with the dolphin!
*dramatic eye-rolling to the point I can hear my mother saying, “stop, or they’ll get stuck like that”*
Leave it alone means don’t attempt to touch/capture/help/make physical contact with the dolphin because despite all your comments about Dolphin Quest’s “lack of knowledge and inhumane treatment of dolphins thus resulting in violent creatures”, they do know more about dolphins than you do. I mean, they only went to school to learn about dolphins *eyes rolling*. Don’t complain if it bites you ‘cuz it is a wild animal after all…
Are you actually Serious?
Probably gorged himself on the fish at the Vixen. Better to die in the open than end up as an inmate at DolphinQuest. $250 to swim with a Dolphin for 30 mins which is only really 20.
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/captive_marine/facts/swim_dolphins.html
Dolphin Quest have no authority to do anything.
Read the law.
Read the law.
Read the law.
If they mess up they will deal with the rath of Terry.
shut up already…u don’t eva get tired?!
The Dolphin trainer for the TV Series “Flipper” is now an advocate for free dolphins.
That says it all.
Flipper – really? Wow you are really ignorant!
Look in the mirror and you will see who is ignorant. You missed the whole point. So take off your rose coloured glasses.
“Flipper” was a series of Dolphins captured and trained and forced to perform for the public/TV.
Just like what you promote at D.Q.
I suggest you read Ric O’Barry’s, the former trainer of dolphins “Flipper” seris http://www.DolphinProject.org and who made money off his caged Dolphins and be enlightened.
Better have a work permit
Poor animal, if it was that smart it would have read the average comments by the ‘intelligent’ people on these forums and never have visited.
for the record, whether you agree with animals in captivity or not (but prob have no issue tying a cart to a horse and whipping it to run around in a circle), to say the DQ folks are not far advanced in their understanding of this animal than the posters on this forum is ignorant.
lose / lose scenario – the cost of rehab for this animal if sick and then re-integration into a population on the east coast is prohibitive, then again the process may result in the animals death as it is rare for that species to be in Bermuda waters close to shore thus people would blame BAMZ and DQ either way. Best thing is it swims off shore in the night and is never seen again so people can assume it is fine.
Bernews can you pls give an update on this story. Thanks
Former “Flipper” trainer website
http://dolphinproject.org/
Wow Rosy,i really feel sorry for you,brainwashed to believe that a captive animal is enjoying life more than a free one.Why don’t you volunteer to check in at West-gate for ten years to prove your “scientific theory”. “Scientists know bystanders will harm them”?? firstly by standers would be on land and scientists must have esp to know the intent of swimmers who most likely adore the dolphin,why are bystanders and swimmers (for a fee) allowed at Dolphin Stress?
One of the DQ staff that was there is a marine veterinarian. He attended in order to give medical assistance to the dolphin if required. DQ staff were not there to capture the dolphin, they were there to ensure it’s survival.
So for those who think they know what’s best for the dolphin, perhaps you should do some homework. The abuse that the Dolphin Quest staff received from at least one onlooker there was not called for. Yeah you got some great photos, but when the DQ people arrived it’s time to back off and let them do what they do best!
Yea WOW Rosy!!! Contradictions coming out the a**
rosy is smoking that good stuff. lol
You all really need to get an education. But you won’t coz your brains are stuck on stupid. DQ is a research facilty and trust me they don’t make a profit. The staff are highly educated and passionate about animal welfare and environmental protection. I too had concerns about the size of the pool, but when I asked them to tell me about it I learned something- you might give that a try. In the meantime, you go ahead and eat your meat and then tell me about animal cruelty.
Rosy,when you say research facility i wonder what truly valuable information can be gleaned from dolphins in such an unnatural surroundings, hell, there are even bystanders around and you let the world know how dangerous they can be.I believe the “researchers” are passionate about animal welfare but if you all truly love and respect life in all forms you know they should be free.Rosy i know you feel it too,i may not have a degree in marine biology but i don’t need an expert to tell me that pool is sufficient for a creature whose natural range is so vast.I disregard any claim beginning with “trust me”and i am vegan.
I never knew dolphins came so close to shore. Who would have thunk it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Miqnm3p6ro
@ Cazzycatman
That is in Florida and they are a different type of dolphin that do come close to the shore. The ones in Bermuda tend to not venture inside the reef, but obviously this one did and it is proable that he is trying to find its way back out.
@ Eastern
Actually this is at Breach Inlet, Charleston S.C. The dolphins have created their own form of fishing by herding the fish then rushing them ashore to eat them. Seen it many times, and still amazes me how intelligent they are.
Where are my O.B.A officials when I need them the most.
@Terry. There are two logical reasons why those 80 dolphins washed up on shore in Virginia/Maryland States. 1) The US Navy for a few years now have been testing a more sophisticated Sonar which is apparently the same frequency that dolphins and some whales use and so the become disorientated. 2) the magnetic fields are shifting drastically and that is how the navigate, therefore they get confused.
I know that Ted.
Next.
Wow this is amazing, all this hoopla over an animal, when we have humans who are really in distress on this island and the powers that be are not falling over themselves to reach out and help. Look at the woman who they are threatening to send to jail over non-payment of bills and she is the victim both ways because the same authorities are not chasing her Ex-husband for the $67,000 plus in child support that he owes. Lopsided priorities if you ask me.
@ dolphin lover
True and deep thoughts,you have spoken volumes. Your message
is brilliant and enlightening.
I agree. We need to set up a petition.
lovely looking animal and friendly too…but he’ll probably realize that the food on the inside of the reef line sucks and make his way out thru western blue cut to his natural open water food sources. DQ knows this so I’d be surprised is they wanted to do more that have a look-see
DQ is just about tolerated by Bermudian’s as it provides some employment. It does not matter if they were born in captivity. They naturally want to swim free and long distances. That pool in dockyard is the equivalent of a jail cell.
Free Willy.
I regret going to the zoo and sea world…..
Agree. Any updates this morning on him?
OK DQ, ensure that it is healthy. Other than that, leave it alone. If it stays in the area, fine. If it leaves, also fine.
Courtesy of the Smithsonian just an hour ago.
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2013/08/why-are-so-many-dolphins-washing-up-dead-on-the-east-coast/
dolphin stress is evil. lets have a referendum to free the dolphins. the most abominable slavery ever practiced in Bermuda took place building dockyard, and is continued by dolphin quest there today for 250 dollars a swim. if dolphin quest is okay, then lets resume whaling and slavery to get some high roller tourists