[ad_1]
Tourists endanger dolphins by increasing the risk of animals being eaten by sharks and killer whales, reveals a new study.
Chronic exposures to boats, kayaks and swimmers tire them and make them vulnerable to predators.
Scientists have also warned that it could reduce their social skills and foraging, as well as their ability to reproduce.
Scroll down for the video
Tourists endanger dolphins by increasing the risk of animals being eaten by sharks and killer whales, reveals a new study (stock image)
Researchers from Murdoch University, Western Australia, have studied the activity of long-beaked dolphins, a species native to Hawaii.
The spinners around the island of Hawaii are a popular attraction for tourists and locals who want to meet close together.
But the average dolphin in the region now spends more than 82% of his time in contact with vacationers, according to the study.
Their level of exposure is 25% higher than that of any other dolphin species.
Time spent with tourists is mentally tiring for animals, and they should spend the day saving energy before looking for food at night, the researchers warned.
Dr. Julian Tyne, veterinary scientist, said, "During periods of physical activity, animals generally exhibit improved brain function, often called vigilance.
"Vigilance is required for many activities, including foraging, socializing, and avoiding predators. When animals undertake these cognitively stimulating activities, they become fatigued.
"This can be manifested by a decrease in the ability to detect predators or prey."
The team analyzed data collected inside and outside four bays of rest along the Kona coast between September 2010 and December 2012.
This included photographs of 235 individual dolphins, their sounds captured by underwater microphones and levels of boat activity and human activity.
Chronic exposure to boats, kayaks and swimmers tires animals, making them vulnerable to predators like the Great White Shark (image in stock)
Computer simulations estimated that they spent at least three quarters of the day, from 6 am to 6 pm, outside – in meetings and trips.
The researchers found that Hawaiian spinners had an average of only 10 minutes of rest between human interactions – which was far from enough for their recovery.
Overexposure to tourists could result in depletion, displacement of preferred habitats and eventually reduce the population.
This could hinder recovery after nighttime foraging, which would reduce cognitive and decision-making abilities.
Dr. Tyne said: "In return, their ability to detect predators could be reduced, their foraging efficiency reduced, their reproductive success and their social skills compromised."
The study was published in the Royal Society Open Science.
Source link
