Dolphins are loved by many and there’s a reason.  They have been portrayed by the media as loveable, always happy animals.  They can’t help that they have a natural smile going for them.  But there is a misconception.  These animals aren’t always the happy campers that the media portrays them to be.  They can become very aggressive like any other predatory animal and have been known to attack other dolphins, people, and even kill sharks.  But you don’t want to hear that.  They are still the gentle creatures that you have always known to love.  I am not here to convince you that dolphins are bad, because they’re not.  I am here to tell you that they are still wild animals and should be treated as such.

My one and only experience I had with wild dolphins was when I was working on a boat in Bimini and noticed a pod of dolphins on the surface very close to the boat.  My initial reaction was to grab my underwater camera, put my snorkel gear on, and swim as fast I could to reach them.  That’s exactly what I did.  As soon as I arrived I noticed them all slowly look at me and come towards me at full speed.  This was hands down one of the dumbest things I had done in my life.  My heart jumped a beat and I didn’t have time to think or react.  These dolphins were coming right at me.  But as if they sensed my fear and realized that I was no threat, they veered off and swam passed me.  I think I swallowed water from choking with fear.  But something strange happened right after…one dolphin (I will call him the dominant male) faced me and eyed me for about 30 seconds.  I looked at him back and stood very still.  I noticed he was missing a front fin, possibly from a fight.  I took my first picture.  He then left and ignored me as if I had never existed.  I was no threat to him nor his pod.  The other dolphins went about their business and began feeding on the floor by digging their snouts in the sand forcing crustaceans out.  I took more pictures.  Then I noticed a baby following its mother while it surfaced for air as if to teach it what to do.  And then in the far distance, two dolphins were in the process of what seemed as mating…still not sure today.

I stopped taking pictures and just enjoyed the privilege I had of being there.  I was witnessing a few minutes of life of dolphins.  Before I knew it, they were gone.  I left knowing that I had more respect for these fascinating creatures and realizing how vulnerable I had become by putting myself so close and risking my life.  If I was perceived as a threat, there was a great possibility that it would not have been a friendly encounter and I would not be writing this right now.  I look back now and though it was an experience to say the least, I wouldn’t do it again even if I had the same opportunity.  You just never know which pod you will come across and it’s not worth taking the risk.  This may be one of the reasons it is illegal in the U.S. to intentionally interact with wild dolphins in the water.  Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.