Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is also a great danger to dolphins in the wild.
Activities like oil drilling, navigational sonars and even ship engines create continuos streams of underwater noise that can frighten, disorient or even injure the dolphins.
Besides, noise pollution force sometimes dolphins to move away from their feeding and breeding areas, causing different problems.
Traumatic Injuries
Another cause of death for the dolphins is the injuries suffered by the entanglement in cages, shark safety nets and fishing nets as well as collisions with ships and rotor blades.
As we explore more and more the ocean and their habitat, we're bringing the dangers to them.
Despite that some dolphin species are considered an endangered species, some of them are still the target of sport fishing and they are often shot to reduce their presence in fishing areas or even for bait.
The Natural Causes
In addition to the threats introduced by men into their habitat, wild dolphins are also at the mercy of nature, as any other animal.
Regardless they are at the top of the food chain, still they have to compete with sharks and toothed whales for food.
The effect of Global Warming or seasonal weather changes have caused the loss of food sources, impacting the survival rates of dolphins in the wild.
Altough there are several laws already approved to protect dolphins, it seems that their enforcement is erratic to say the least. Dolphins are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Taking Care of Dolphins
If we want to preserve dolphins, the time to get involved is now.
The following website, is an excellent resource for information on laws and bills that are currently being considered to save and protect them. It's important that we know the facts and do what we can to not only return these animals to the wild where they belong, but to make sure they're safe once they get there. There are also many organizations focused on preserving this species.
If you'd like to get involved, visit the links below.