Target: Les Philpott, Chair of Marine Management Organisation
Goal: Punish individuals who approach and harass wildlife in a careless, illegal manner.
When kayakers rescued two women from a reported dolphin attack in the United Kingdom’s (UK) Lyme Bay, the incident raised alarm bells. Sensationalistic headlines claimed the dolphin, nicknamed Reggie, had tried to “drown” the women by forcing them underwater. But marine experts believe the encounter is being misrepresented and could place the animal in danger.
Reggie had become a famous fixture in the bay after several visits, many of which involved direct interactions with humans. Because of these interactions – evidenced by the boat propeller scars on the dolphin’s body and by Reggie’s viral status as the “dancing dolphin”– Reggie has apparently grown accustomed to humans and approaches them without fear or inhibition. But this type of habituation puts both people and Reggie himself at risk. The region’s Marine Management Organisation sent out the following statement in the wake of the developments: “Please remember: never swim with, touch, feed, or approach dolphins. If a dolphin approaches you, calmly leave the area. Human interaction can cause dolphins to lose their natural wariness, leading to injury or even death. Disturbed dolphins are also known to become aggressive toward people.”
Advisories are clearly not working, and the laws on the books protecting dolphins and other marine mammals need to be strictly enforced. Sign the petition below to demand leaders crack down on willful violations if they truly want to safeguard these irreplaceable animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Philpott,
Cornwall boaters and Lyme Bay dwellers have allegedly put dolphins in danger through reportedly reckless disregard for the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Dolphins have been photographed maimed by boat strikes, and Dorset celebrity dolphin Reggie has become habituated to a degree that places both himself and individuals who approach him in peril. Kindly worded warnings have failed to curb this problem.
Under UK law, violators of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code can face severe penalties. Give this law the power and the enforcement it requires to do its job of protecting innocent animals from harm.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Draftsman 1st Class Pierre G. George
