Dolphins found shot, mutilated in Gulf of Mexico
Dolphins Found Shot, Mutilated in Gulf of Mexico
Authorities are investigating a string of attacks on dolphins along the Gulf Coast after some of the marine mammals were found with gunshot wounds and mutilations.
"We responded to one dolphin from Alabama that had its tail cut off," said Dr. Moby Solangi, of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. "We responded to a dolphin this morning from Ship Island that had its lower jaw cut off. In the last week we had a dolphin with a bullet hole in it."
In response, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has asked officials to be on alert for any attacks in the waters off of Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.
The gentle creatures have long been the star attraction at marine parks around the world and are believed to be the world's second most intelligent animal, making the attacks seem even more incomprehensible.
"I think it's important that everyone understand that this is not only cruel, but it's also illegal," Solangi said.
If the perpetrators are caught, they could face up to a year in jail and fines of up to $100,000.
Quoting Paperfishies:
Dolphins are creepy.
...but don't deserve this.
Dolphins have been known to attack people without provocation. They have been known to bite people and drag them under water or ram them repeatedly. Most of the time people will survive an attack by a dolphin but I'm sure it's quite frightening when you're in the midst of an attack.
Not saying that's what happened but it is a possibility.
I've never understood killing animals for no reason.
Quoting AMBG825:
Dolphins have been known to attack people without provocation. They have been known to bite people and drag them under water or ram them repeatedly. Most of the time people will survive an attack by a dolphin but I'm sure it's quite frightening when you're in the midst of an attack.
Not saying that's what happened but it is a possibility.
Retaliation against dolphin attacks? That seems a little bit of a stretch. I am thinking its the opposite. Wouldn't they , the dolphins , have to be provoked? Pushed beyond limits to attack? Possibly humans provoked them? I think so.
But we are only guessing.
Quoting Goodwoman614:
Quoting Paperfishies:
Dolphins are creepy....but don't deserve this.
But as I said I don't know that this is what happened. I'm just throwing it out there.
Quoting lga1965:
Quoting AMBG825:
Dolphins have been known to attack people without provocation. They have been known to bite people and drag them under water or ram them repeatedly. Most of the time people will survive an attack by a dolphin but I'm sure it's quite frightening when you're in the midst of an attack.
Not saying that's what happened but it is a possibility.
Retaliation against dolphin attacks? That seems a little bit of a stretch. I am thinking its the opposite. Wouldn't they , the dolphins , have to be provoked? Pushed beyond limits to attack? Possibly humans provoked them? I think so.
But we are only guessing.
Good Morning America just discussed this. They are saying there is a dolphin killer out there, mutilating dolphins.But who knows.
Well sure, inherently, in the big scheme of things.
But some animals have always played a more important role in human myth, psyche, what have you. It's not necessarily hypocritical to find dolphins way more awesome than, say, beetles.
Besides, with all this going on, I expect they'll start singing "thanks for all the fish" soon and fly up back into space (<---Douglas Adams reference...)
Quoting Paperfishies:
They are no more or less special than any other animal. I would be a hypocrit if I felt so.
Quoting Goodwoman614:
Quoting Paperfishies:
Dolphins are creepy....but don't deserve this.
Holder to investigate....Holder
- muslimahpj
on Nov. 19, 2012 at 12:12 AM