No More Swimming With Bottlenose Dolphins, Says New Zealand

Because they like to hang around the coast, New Zealand’s bottlenose dolphins are particularly susceptible to human interaction, which affects their resting and feeding habits. These behavioral changes have contributed to a 66 percent decrease in the population since 1990, according to the Department of Conservation, which also reported that only 19 bottlenose dolphins regularly visit the Bay of Islands these days.

Prohibiting tourists from swimming with the dolphins is a start, but the DOC is also looking into establishing a marine mammal sanctuary in partnership with local Māori tribes and other research parties.