Au, W.W. and M. Green (2000). Acoustic interaction of humpback whales and whale-watching boats. Marine Environmental Research 49(5): 469-81. ISSN: 0141-1136.
NAL Call Number: QH545.W3M36
Abstract: The underwater acoustic noise of five representative whale-watching boats used in the waters of west Maui was measured in order to study the effects of boat noise on humpback whales. The first set of measurements were performed on 9 and 10 March, close to the peak of the whale season. The ambient noise was relatively high with the major contribution from many chorusing humpback whales. Measurements of boat sounds were contaminated by this high ambient background noise. A second set of measurements was performed on 28 and 29 April, towards the end of the humpback whale season. In both sets of measurements, two of the boats were inflatables with outboard engines, two were larger coastal boats with twin inboard diesel engines and the fifth was a small water plane area twin hull (SWATH) ship with inter-island cruise capabilities. The inflatable boats with outboard engines produced very complex sounds with many bands of tonal-like components. The boats with inboard engines produced less intense sounds with fewer tonal bands. One-third octave band measurements of ambient noise measured on 9 March indicated a maximum sound pressure level of about 123 dB re 1 microPa at 315 Hz. The maximum sound pressure level of 127 dB at 315 Hz was measured for the SWATH ship. One of the boats with outboard engines produced sounds between 2 and 4 kHz that were about 8-10 dB greater than the level of background humpback whale sounds at the peak of the whale season. We concluded that it is unlikely that the levels of sounds produced by the boats in our study would have any grave effects on the auditory system of humpback whales.
Descriptors: animal communication, ships, sound, whales physiology, acoustics, Hawaii.
Bejder, L. and A. Samuels (2003). Evaluating the effects of nature-based tourism on cetaceans. In: Marine Mammals: Fisheries, Tourism and Management Issues, p. 229-256.
Descriptors: ecotourism, environmental impact, marine mammals, methodology, research, reviews, tourism impact, Cetacea.
Birtles, R.A., P.W. Arnold, and A. Dunstan (2002). Commercial swim programs with dwarf minke whales on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia: some characteristics of the encounters with management implications. Australian Mammalogy 24(1): 23-38. ISSN: 0310-0049.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera acutorostrata, leisure and sport, conservation measures, behavior, south Pacific, Australia, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, north, commercial swim programs, characteristics of encounters and management implications.
Blane, J.M. and R. Jaakson (1994). The impact of ecotourism boats on the st. Lawrence beluga whales. Environmental Conservation 21(3): 267-269. ISSN: 0376-8929.
NAL Call Number: QH540.E55
Descriptors: behavior, conservation, estuarine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, nutrition, systematics and taxonomy, wildlife management, conservation, avoidance behavior, feeding, human disturbance.
Chilvers, B.L. and P.J. Corkeron (2001). Trawling and bottlenose dolphins' social structure. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 268(1479): 1901-5. ISSN: 0962-8452.
Abstract: Human activities can affect the behaviour of mammals through the modification of habitats, changes in predation pressure or alterations in food distribution and availability. We analysed the association and ranging patterns of 242 individually identified bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in eastern Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, and distinguished two separate communities of dolphins. Unlike bottlenose dolphins elsewhere, the communities' core areas overlapped substantially. There was a correlation between the dolphins' responses to fishing activities and community membership-members of one community feed in association with trawlers and members of the other do not. Apart from feeding mode, the communities differed in habitat preference and group sizes. Inadvertent anthropogenic impacts on animals' societies are likely to be far more widespread than just this study and can increase conservation challenges. In this instance, managers need to consider the two communities' differing habitat requirements and their behavioural traditions in conservation planning.
Descriptors: behavior, animal, dolphins, social isolation, feeding behavior.
Chilvers, B.L., P.J. Corkeron, and M.L. Puotinen (2003). Influence of trawling on the behaviour and spatial distribution of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, Australia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 81(12): 1947-1955. ISSN: 0008-4301.
NAL Call Number: 470 C16D
Descriptors: Tursiops aduncus, fishing and fisheries, trawling, effects on behavior and spatial distribution, foraging, social behavior, segregation of sympatric communities, habitat utilization, south Pacific, Australia, Queensland, Moreton Bay, behavior and spatial distribution, trawling effects, sympatric communities.
Constantine, R. (2001). Increased avoidance of swimmers by wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) due to long-term exposure to swim-with-dolphin tourism. Marine Mammal Science 17(4): 689-702. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: animal behavior, environmental impact, nature tourism, swimming, tourism impact, dolphins, Tursiops truncatus.
Constantine, R., D.H. Brunton, and T. Dennis (2004). Dolphin-watching tour boats change bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) behaviour. Biological Conservation 117(3): 299-307. ISSN: 0006-3207.
NAL Call Number: S900.B5
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, leisure and sport, dolphin watching tour boats, effect on behavior, behavior, south Pacific, New Zealand, Bay of Islands, dolphin watching tour boats effect on behavior.
Corkeron, P.J. (1995). Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Hervey Bay, Queensland: behaviour and responses to whale-watching vessels. Canadian Journal of Zoology 73(7): 1290-1299. ISSN: 0008-4301.
NAL Call Number: 470 C16D
Abstract: The effects of the presence of vessels on the behaviour of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) was studied in Hervey Bay, Queensland, where southward-migrating whales are the focus of a commercial whale-watching industry. The behaviour of whales was observed from a small yacht under sail. Rates of occurrence of units of behaviour for entire pods were obtained from continuous sampling of pods. Pods without calves showed lower rates of behaviour generally when vessels were within 300 m of them. Pods both with and without calves were more likely to dive rather than slip under when vessels were within 300 m. Hybrid multidimensional scaling of rates of behaviours of pods indicated differences between suites of behaviours exhibited by pods when vessels were within 300 m of them and when they were not. Classification of the patterns of occurrence of behaviours demonstrated that for pods both with and without calves, different units of behaviour tended to occur together when vessels were within 300 m and when they were not. Whale watching offers a nonlethal commercial use of whales, but in Hervey Bay, whale watching affects the behaviour of whales, which, although migrating, can be involved in breeding ground activities. Whether the short-term behavioural changes described here are accompanied by longer term avoidance of Hervey Bay by humpback whales as they migrate south remains to be determined.
Descriptors: reproductive system, reproduction, systematics and taxonomy, wildlife management, conservation, breeding, migration.
DeMares, R. (2000). Human peak experience triggered by encounters with cetaceans. Anthrozoos 13(1): 89-103. ISSN: 0892-7936.
NAL Call Number: SF411.A57
Descriptors: Cetacea, man, emotions, encounters.
Dudzinski, K.M., T.G. Frohoff, and N.L. Crane (1995). Behavior of a lone female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with humans off the coast of Belize. Aquatic Mammals 21(2): 149-153. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Abstract: For at least eight years, a lone female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), named 'Pita', has frequented the waters surrounding Northern Two Cay, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, in Belize. She has actively sought human contact for the past four to five years. This study investigated the history of her interactions with humans and documented her behavior nearby humans. There are some concerns for the well-being of both the dolphin and the people with whom she interacts. Specific concerns include an increase in the number of people seeking interaction with this dolphin, and a need for official guidelines or regulations governing these encounters. We have analyzed both underwater and surface video recordings and conducted interviews with people who have interacted with this dolphin. Pita exhibited sexual behavior towards objects, such as anchor lines, and occasionally towards swimmers. She sometimes touched swimmers or postured near swimmers. Pita has directed aggression towards people, especially those attempting to leave the water. Several people have been injured when Pita blocked them or hit them with her rostrum as they attempted to leave the water. Many human visitors remain naive, and somewhat over-zealous, and continue with attempts to ride her, touch her body in sensitive areas (including the genitals and blowhole), and generally appear to excite her into potentially aggressive and harmful behavior. Pita is unusual in that the majority of lone dolphins that interact with humans world-wide have been male.
Descriptors: behavior, conservation, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, systematics and taxonomy, wildlife management, conservation, aggression, wildlife management.
Erbe, C. (2002). Underwater noise of whale-watching boats and potential effects on killer whales (Orcinus orca), based on an acoustic impact model. Marine Mammal Science 18(2): 394-418. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: behavior, communication, ecology, models and simulations, pollution assessment, control, management, sense organs, sensory reception, hearing loss, ear disease, software sound propagation and acoustic impact assessment model, mathematical method, behavioral avoidance, communication interference, noise pollution, temporal threshold shift [tts], underwater noise, whale watching boats, killer whales, effect, noise.
Evacitas, F.C. ( Jun 2001). Impacts of whale watching on the cetaceans and coastal populations in Bais City, Philippines, 1999. Dissertation, University Los Banos, College: Laguna, Philippines. 76 p.
Abstract: Whale watching have no significant effect on the species diversity and population size of cetaceans since its establishment in 1996. to date, although this may be due to the short period of observation. However, the absence of existing whale watching guidelines may result to negative effects on the cetaceans in the long run. Whale watching activities have caused damage to fishing gears, have led to poor water quality, and consequently low fish catch in the area near the wharf. There is no significant difference in the household income among the three household groups. Tourism household, however spend significantly more (P <0.05) on recreational activities and significantly lesser (P<0.05) on food and other basic necessities than the two other groups. There is no significant difference in the perception scores among household groups. The respondents' perception scores on the impact of human activities on cetaceans are significantly (P <0.05) correlated with educational level while the perception scores on the economic benefits of whale watching are significantly (P <0.05) correlated with household income. Tourism households have significantly higher (P <0.05) mean attitude score toward practices affecting cetaceans but significantly lower (P<0.05) mean attitude score toward operation of whale watching.
Descriptors: Cetacea, biodiversity, population growth, whales, tourism, environmental impact, resource management, Philippines, Asia, Cetacea, mammals, population dynamics, South East Asia.
Notes: Thesis (MS in Environmental Studies).
Finkler, W. and J. Higham (2004). The human dimensions of whale watching: an analysis based on viewing platforms. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 9(2): 103-117. ISSN: 1087-1209.
Descriptors: Cetacea, leisure and sport, whale watching, visitor perceptions of impact, conservation measures, north Pacific, USA, Washington, San Juan Islands, visitor perceptions of impact of whale watching, analysis based on viewing platforms.
Foote, A.D., R.W. Osborne, and A.R. Hoelzel (2004). Environment: whale-call response to masking boat noise. Nature (London) 428(6986): 910. ISSN: 1476-4687.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Abstract: Background noise can interfere with the detection and discrimination of crucial signals among members of a species. Here we investigate the vocal behaviour in the presence and absence of whale-watcher boat traffic of three social groups (pods) of killer whales (Orcinus orca) living in the nearshore waters of Washington state. We find longer call durations in the presence of boats for all three pods, but only in recent recordings made following a period of increasing boat traffic. This result indicates that these whales adjust their behaviour to compensate for anthropogenic noise once it reaches a threshold level.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, noise, ships, vocalization, animal physiology, sensory thresholds physiology, time factors, Washington.
Frohoff, T.G. and J.M. Packard (1995). Human interactions with free-ranging and captive bottlenose dolphins. Anthrozoos 8(1): 44-53. ISSN: 0892-7936.
NAL Call Number: SF411.A57
Descriptors: dolphins, recreational activities, swimming, animal welfare.
Frohoff, T. (2003). Interacting with dolphins in the wild: science, policy, and guidelines. In: T. Frohoff and B. Peterson (Editors), Between Species: Celebrating the Dolphin-Human Bond, Sierra Club Books: San Francisco, p. 335-340. ISBN: 1578050707.
Descriptors: Delphinidae, leisure and sport, education and entertainment, human interactions with wild individuals, science, policy and guidelines, conservation measures, legislation.
Gibbs, S.E., C.M. Kemper, R.W. Byard, and M. Long (2004). Deaths of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in South Australia and implication of human interaction. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 128(2): 231-237. ISSN: 0372-1426.
NAL Call Number: 514 AD3
Abstract: In November 1999 an adult female killer whale (Orcinus orca) was seen dead and floating off Tumby Bay, Spencer Gulf, South Australia. The body was never recovered, despite searching. The next day a juvenile killer whale, possibly the offspring of the adult off Tumby Bay, stranded alive twice and returned itself to sea at Tulka, about 50 km south of the adult. The 3.72 m juvenile subsequently washed up in a decomposed state at Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island. Cause of death was not established for either animal. The juvenile's stomach contained more than 20 kg of food, all recognisable parts being dolphin remains. These included two intact flippers, one tail stock, sizeable pieces of skin and dermis from the head and other unknown parts of the body, smaller pieces of semi-digested flesh, and defleshed bones from various regions of the skeleton. Most dolphin parts were identified as the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus, but some bones were possibly from a shortbeaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, and some were from an unknown species of dolphin. Remains from at least five individual dolphins were present in the stomach. Forensic examination concluded that most of the larger pieces of skin and dermis had been cut with a sharp-edged blade, and implicated human interaction with dead or live dolphins and possibly the juvenile killer whale. Such activities are illegal in South Australian waters. More information is needed on interactions between killer whales and humans in Australian waters.
Descriptors: Orcinus orca, disturbance by man, diet, stomach contents, mortality, adult and juvenile deaths, stomach contents and implication of human interaction, south Indian Ocean, Australia, South Australia, mortality records and implication of human interaction.
Gilbert, J.D., C.M. Kemper, M. Hill, and R.W. Byard (2000). Forensic studies of a stabbed infant bottlenose dolphin. Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine 7(3): 150-152. ISSN: 1353-1131.
Abstract: A 4-6-week-old male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found freshly dead on a beach. He belonged to a nearby dolphin group that was known to have considerable curiosity about human activity and to frequently approach pleasure craft. An autopsy revealed an otherwise healthy animal with death due to a stab wound that had passed completely through the body, incising the aorta. Careful assessment of the wounds indicated that the blade of the weapon had been at least 190 mm in length and 22 mm in width, with a single edge. This report demonstrates that standard forensic techniques may be extremely useful in determining the cause of death in animals, in documenting injuries to assist in the investigation of such cases, and in providing facts to aid in the successful prosecution of those guilty of killing or injuring animals.
Descriptors: bottlenose dolphin, human activity, stab wound, forensic techniques, death, killing.
Heckel, G., S.B. Reilly, J.L. Sumich, and I. Espejel (2001). The influence of whalewatching on the behaviour of migrating gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in Todos Santos Bay and surrounding waters, Baja California, Mexico. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 3(3): 227-237. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: behavior, marine ecology, theodolite tracking, monitoring method, conservation biology, human activity, legal implications, migration, short term change, swimming direction, swimming velocity, whale watching vessels, grey whales, migrating.
Higham, J. and D. Lusseau (2004). Ecological impacts and management of tourist engagements with cetaceans. In: Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism, p. 171-186.
Descriptors: conflict, cultural values, ecological balance, environmental impact, politics, resource management, sightseeing, sociology of tourism, tourism, tourism impact, wildlife management, dolphins, whales.
Hindley, M.P. (1985). Human/animal communication. Cetacean roles in human therapeutic situations. In: M.W. Fox, L.D. Mickley and M.W. Fox Advances in Animal Welfare Science, p. 75-85.
NAL Call Number: HV4701.A34
Descriptors: laboratory animals, domestic animals, communication between animals, bonds, man.
Jahoda, M., C.L. Lafortuna, N. Biassoni, C. Almirante, A. Azzellino, S. Panigada, M. Zanardelli, and S.G.N. Di (2003). Mediterranean fin whale's (Balaenoptera physalus) response to small vessels and biopsy sampling assessed through passive tracking and timing of respiration. Marine Mammal Science 19(1): 96-110. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: behavior, marine ecology, biopsy, clinical techniques, field equipment, passive tracking, avoidance strategies, behavioral responses, feeding behavior, feeding grounds, human disturbance, observation vessels, respiration, surfacing intervals, swimming behavior, traveling patterns, whale watching regulations, fin whale.
Kemper, C.M., A. Flaherty, S.E. Gibbs, M. Hill, M. Long, and R.W. Byard (2005). Cetacean captures, strandings and mortalities in South Australia 1881-2000, with special reference to human interactions. Australian Mammalogy 27(1): 37-47. ISSN: 0310-0049.
Abstract: This study summarizes 660 events involving captured, live-stranded and dead cetaceans in South Australia between 1881 and 2000. Emphasis is placed on records (n = 361) during 1985-2000 when an active necropsy programme was underway. Average number of events per year was 30.4 and the most common species were the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus). Records were assigned to nine categories of circumstance/cause of death. Summarizing the total database, 60% were unknown circumstance, 22% not obviously anthropogenic, 13% unintentional human-related and 5% intentional human-related. In the data set of records for 1985-2000, 50% were unknown, 25% were not obviously anthropogenic, 20% were unintentional human-related and 5% were intentional killings. Non-anthropogenic circumstances included neonatal deaths, live strandings, significant diseases, shark attacks and choking. Cornynebacterium ulcerans is recorded for the first time in a cetacean. Unintentional circumstances included entanglement in fishing and aquaculture equipment (17% of necropsied carcasses from 1985-2000) and boat strikes. Intentional human-related circumstances were captures for live display and illegal killing. Five percent of the necropsied carcasses during 1985-2000 were attributed to shootings or stabbings/spearings. There is need for a formal reporting procedure for marine mammal deaths and human interaction involving injury and for steps to be taken to reduce human impacts.
Descriptors: Cetacea, disturbance by man, parasites diseases and disorders, mortality, south Indian Ocean, Australia, South Australia, captures, live and dead stranding records and necropsy results, long term review.
Kyngdon, D.J., E.O. Minot, and K.J. Stafford (2003). Behavioural responses of captive common dolphins Delphinus delphis to a 'Swim-with-Dolphin' programme. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 81(2): 163-170. ISSN: 0168-1591.
NAL Call Number: QL750.A6
Descriptors: Delphinus, animal behavior, females, animal well being, animal stress, social behavior, human animal relations, adaptation, New Zealand.
Lusseau, D. and J.E.S. Higham (2004). Managing the impacts of dolphin-based tourism through the definition of critical habitats: the case of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Tourism Management 25(6): 657-667. ISSN: 0261-5177.
Descriptors: animal behavior, ecotourism, environmental impact, environmental management, habitats, nature tourism, tourism impact, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, dolphins, Tursiops.
Lusseau, D. (2003). Effects of tour boats on the behavior of bottlenose dolphins: Using Markov chains to model anthropogenic impacts. Conservation Biology 17(6): 1785-1793. ISSN: 0888-8892.
NAL Call Number: QH75.A1C5
Descriptors: Tursiops, leisure and sport, tour boats, effects on behavior, behavior, South Pacific, New Zealand, Fiordland, doubtful sound, effects of tour boats on behavior.
Lusseau, D. (2003). Male and female bottlenose dolphins Tursiops spp. have different strategies to avoid interactions with tour boats in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. Marine Ecology Progress Series 257: 267-274. ISSN: 0171-8630.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.S3M32
Descriptors: Tursiops, leisure and sport, tour boats, metabolic rate, energy budget, behavioral sex differences, strategies to avoid interactions with tour boats, aquatic diving, avoidance behavior, South Pacific, New Zealand, doubtful sound, sex differences in strategies to avoid interactions with tour boats, possible explanations.
Magalhaes, S., R. Prieto, M.A. Silva, J. Goncalves, D.M. Afonso, and R.S. Santos (2002). Short-term reactions of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) to whale-watching vessels in the Azores. Aquatic Mammals 28(3): 267-274. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Descriptors: behavior, aerial displays, blow interval, boat maneuvers, boat presence, boat based observations, disturbance, land based observations, short term reactions, swimmers presence, swimming speed, whale watching industry, whale watching vessels.
Mate, B.R. (1989). Watching whales. Oregon State University Sea Grant 53 rev.: 2.
NAL Call Number: SH222.A1O7
Descriptors: whales, leisure activities.
Mattson, M.C., J.A. Thomas, and D. St. Aubin (2005). Effects of boat activity on the behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in waters surrounding Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Aquatic Mammals 31(1): 133-140. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Abstract: During the summer of 1998, the effects of boat activity on the behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates) were investigated using 52 shore-based surveys along Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Temporal autocorrelation indicated data collected on most variables should be analyzed in 6-min intervals. Responses to boats were categorized as "no response," "behavioral response," "change in direction of movement," or "change in both behavior and direction." Multiple boats had a greater influence on dolphin behavior and movement than the presence of a single boat. Dolphin-watching boats, motorboats, shrimp boats, and jet skis affected the group size and behavior of dolphin groups. Dolphin groups responded to dolphin-watching boats during 20% of observations, mainly with a change in both behavior and direction of movement. Motorboats caused a response in dolphins during 55% of observations, with a change in behavior or both behavior and direction. Jet skis had a more dramatic effect on dolphin groups, with 56% of groups changing their behavior and 11% changing both their behavior and direction. Shrimp boats always elicited a response. Dolphin groups changed both their behavior, and direction of movement to follow and feed behind these boats. In contrast, ships rarely caused a response, with groups changing their behavior but not their direction in 11% of observations. As the number of boats in the Hilton Head area increased, dolphin groups heightened responses-that is, changed both behavior and direction of movement. These boat-related effects on bottlenose dolphin behavior are considered "harassment" under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972) and should be scrutinized by agencies responsible for public education and enforcement of protective legislation.
Descriptors: behavior, biogeography, population studies, equipment apparatus devices and instrumentation, boat, field equipment, shore based survey, applied and field techniques, jet ski, field equipment, motorboat, field equipment, public education, movement direction, boat activity.
Mulvaney, K. and B. McKay (2000). Small cetaceans: small whales, dolphins and porpoises. In: C.R.C. Sheppard (Editor), Seas at the Millennium: an Environmental Evaluation. Volume 3. Global Issues and Processes, Pergamon: Oxford, p. 89-103.
Descriptors: Cetacea, disturbance by man, conservation, small taxa, overview.
Nathanson, D.E. (1998). Long-term effectiveness of dolphin-assisted therapy for children with severe disabilities. Anthrozoos 11(1): 22-32. ISSN: 0892-7936.
NAL Call Number: SF411.A57
Descriptors: handicapped children, behavior modification, dolphins.
Nichols, C., G. Stone, A. Hutt, J. Brown, and A. Yoshinaga (2001). Observations of interactions between Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori), boats and people at Akaroa Harbour, New Zealand. Science for Conservation (178): 49. ISSN: 1173-2946.
Descriptors: animal behavior, boating, boats, people, social interaction, Cephalorhynchus, dolphins, man.
Nishiwaki, M. and A. Sasao (1977). Human activities disturbing natural migration routes of whales. Scientific Reports of the Whales Research Institute, 29, p. 113-120.
Descriptors: human activities, whales, migration routes, disturbing.
Language of Text: English summary.
Nishiwaki, M. and A. Sasao. (1976). Human activities disturbing natural migration routes of whales [Japan]. Fisheries Dept. Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research. Scientific Consultation on Marine Mammals, Bergen (Norway)., FAO: Rome, Italy, Vol. no. 34470, 8 p.
Descriptors: human activities, disturbing, migration routes, whales, Japan.
Nollman, J. (1999). The Charged Border: Where Whales and Humans Meet, 1st edition, Henry Holt: New York, 249 p. ISBN: 0805055231.
NAL Call Number: QL737.C4N56 1999
Descriptors: Cetacea behavior, human animal relationships.
Orams, M.B. (1994). Tourism and marine wildlife: the wild dolphins of Tangalooma, Australia: a case report. Anthrozoos 7(3): 195-201. ISSN: 0892-7936.
NAL Call Number: SF411.A57
Descriptors: Australia, dolphins, wild animals, tourism, history, fishing operations, behavior, feeding habits, animals, behavior, Cetacea, mammals, oceania, wildlife, hand feeding, nature tourism, fishing.
Orams, M. (2003). Wild dolphins, people, and food. In: T. Frohoff and B. Peterson (Editors), Between Species: Celebrating the Dolphin-Human Bond, Sierra Club Books: San Francisco, p. 341-344. ISBN: 1578050707.
Descriptors: Delphinidae, animals and man, feeding interactions, overview, nutrition, feeding interactions with man.
Orams, M.B., G.J.E. Hill, and A.J. Baglioni Jr. (1996). "Pushy" behavior in a wild dolphin feeding program at Tangalooma, Australia. Marine Mammal Science 12(1): 107-117. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: A program where wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are fed by tourists in shallow water adjacent to a wharf has been established at Tangalooma, Queensland, Australia. Up to nine dolphins attend the nightly feedings, and between 60 and 80 resort guests are permitted to hand feed these dolphins each night. Since this program began in 1992, the dolphins have increased in confidence and have started, at times, to make forceful contact with guests who enter the water to feed them. This paper categorizes such behavior as "pushy" and reports on a study which quantifies the "pushiness" of the dolphins which feed at Tangalooma. The study examines ecological variables which may determine how pushy the dolphins are at different feeding sessions. The number of dolphins attending a particular feeding significantly increases the pushiness. In addition, the presence of adult males at a feeding is likely to increase pushing. Tidal state also influences how pushy the dolphins are. At low tide, when the dolphins' mobility is restricted by the water depth, they are less likely to be pushy. Given the problems experienced in a number of other situations where wild animals are fed by humans, it is important to monitor carefully the escalation of pushy behavior in this dolphin feeding program, as it may be a precursor to more aggressive actions on the part of the dolphins.
Descriptors: behavior, nutrition, wildlife management, conservation, aggression, ecology, tourism.
Samuels, A., L. Bejder, R. Constantine and S. Heinrich (2003). Swimming with wild cetaceans, with a special focus on the Southern Hemisphere. In: Marine Mammals: Fisheries, Tourism and Management Issues, p. 277-303.
Descriptors: ecotourism, environmental impact, marine mammals, reviews, tourism impact, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, Cetacea.
Samuels, A. and L. Bejder (2004). Chronic interaction between humans and free-ranging bottlenose dolphins near Panama City Beach, Florida, USA. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 6(1): 69-77. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Abstract: 'Swim-with' activities. in which humans enter the water to interact with free-ranging cetaceans, are a popular form of nature tourism; however, there is considerable disagreement as to whether these encounters constitute a threat to the animals. At the request of the US Marine Mammal Commission, a systematic study was designed to quantify effects of swim-with activities on the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins in waters near Panama City Beach, Florida. Certain dolphin behaviours were identified as indicative of chronic interaction with humans. and based on presence of these behaviours, at least seven dolphins were identified that permitted people to swim nearby. Because these dolphins accepted food handouts from people, they were considered to be conditioned to human interaction through food reinforcement. Specific human-dolphin interactions that posed a risk for dolphins or humans were identified, and it was calculated that human interaction put a specific juvenile dolphin at risk once every 12 min, including being fed by humans once every 39-59 min. Humans interacting with that dolphin were estimated to be at risk once every 29 min. Although the study was of limited duration, the observations were so clear-cut and the nature of interactions so potentially hazardous it was concluded that food provisioning was the probable basis for swimming with free-ranging dolphins near Panama City Beach, Florida, and therefore, human interaction at this location was likely to be harmful to the dolphins and in clear violation of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act. Of equal importance to the findings of this study is the methodology. A systematic behavioural methodology was designed that can be adapted to study potential impacts of nature tourism on coastal communities of cetaceans in which individuals are readily distinguished. The focus was on the behaviour of individual animals in order to describe and quantify in-water interactions between dolphins and humans, to make behavioural comparisons for the same individual dolphins in the presence and absence of swimmers, and to make behavioural comparisons for individual dolphins in the same region that do and do not interact with swimmers. Coupled with standard photo-identification techniques, these methods can be used to identify the class of animals, or proportion of a local community, that is more likely to interact with, be detrimentally affected by, and/or avoid human interaction. Sequential observations of the same individuals taken over time can be used to document habituation or sensitisation to human interaction.
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, leisure and sport, swim with activities, behavioral responses and mutual threat assessment, conservation, behavior, Gulf of Mexico, USA, Florida, Panama City beach area, human swim with activities effect on behavior, mutual threat assessment.
Samuels, A. and T.R. Spradlin (1995). Quantitative behavioral study of bottlenose dolphins in swim-with-dolphin programs in the United States. Marine Mammal Science 11(4): 520-544. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: The behavior of dolphins in four Swim-With-Dolphin programs was compared by type of Swim encounter, defined by the presence ("Controlled") or absence ("Not-Controlled") of explicit trainer regulation of interactions between dolphins and human swimmers. Dolphin-swimmer interactions involving aggressive, submissive, or sexual behavior were designated as "high-risk" in the Swim context; sexual behavior was included as high-risk based on analyses that demonstrated co-occurrence of sexual and agonistic behaviors. High-risk activity comprised a substantial proportion of dolphin-swimmer social activity during Not-Controlled Swims. In contrast, high-risk activity rarely occurred during Controlled Swims, even though agonistic and sexual behaviors were normal components of the same dolphins' free-time social repertoire. These results indicated that direct trainer control of dolphin-swimmer interactions virtually eliminated high-risk activity from the Swim context, and thereby diminished the potential for dolphin distress, swimmer injury, and rejection of dolphins from Swim programs due to swimmer injury. This study illustrates effective use of quantitative behavioral sampling techniques for evaluation of captive management concerns and promotes broader use of these techniques for a better understanding of cetacean behavior.
Descriptors: behavior, systematics and taxonomy, wildlife management, conservation, social behavior.
Scheidat, M., C. Castro, J. Gonzalez, and R. Williams (2004). Behavioural responses of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to whalewatching boats near Isla de la Plata, Machalilla National Park, Ecuador. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 6(1): 63-68. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Abstract: Machalilla National Park, on the coast of mainland Ecuador, supports a growing whalewatching industry that focuses on Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, which spend the austral winter (June-September) in this area. This study was designed to measure short-term reactions of whales to the whalewatching vessel activity typically seen in this area for two reasons: (1) to identify the nature of whales' avoidance response, if any, in order to draft whalewatching guidelines that help local mariners identify when they may be disturbing whales; and (2) to quantify the magnitude of any avoidance response, to examine how this relatively understudied population behaves around boats compared with whales in other whalewatching areas. A shore-based theodolite tracking team created a 'natural' experiment to observe relationships between whalewatching traffic and whale behaviour in 1998 and 1999. Swim speed and path directness of humpback whales were measured in the absence of boats, and how those parameters changed when boats arrived was recorded. When whales entered the study area accompanied by boats, a record was made of how their behaviour changed after the boats left. Humpback whales reacted to the approach of whalewatching boats by increasing swim speed significantly, and adopted a much more direct path after boats left. Future research is needed to determine whether responses vary with number, proximity or type of vessel. Similarly, future studies are recommended to determine whether different age-sex classes vary in vulnerability to disturbance. Meanwhile, this study enables provision of much-needed, practical advice to local operators who are concerned that they may be disturbing whales: one way that mariners can tell if they are causing disturbance is if they need to increase their vessel's speed to keep pace. The average behavioural responses measured were strong enough to recommend that Machalilla National Park adopt precautionary management procedures to limit number and proximity of vessels.
Descriptors: Megaptera novaeangliae, leisure and sport, whale watching, behavioral responses to boats, conservation measures, whale watching management, avoidance behavior, south Pacific, Ecuador, Machalilla National Park, behavioral responses to whale watching boats, management implications.
Smith, B.A. (1984). Using dolphins to elicit communication from an autistic child. In: Robert K. Anderson, Benjamin L. Hart and Lynette A. Hart (Editors), The Pet Connection: Its Influence on Our Health and Quality of Life, Center to Study Human Animal Relations and Environment, University of Minnesota: Minneapolis, Minn., p. 154-161.
NAL Call Number: SF411.5.P47
Descriptors: nervous system diseases, dolphins, communication, adolescents, case studies, Florida.
Notes: Meeting Information: Conference on the Human-Animal Bond, University of Minnesota, June 13-14, 1983 and University of California-Irvine, June 17-18, 1983.
Waples, K. (2003). The role of research in the management of whale watching. In: P. Hutchings and D. Lunney (Editors), Conserving Marine Environments: Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Mosman, p. 62-72. ISBN: 0958608563.
Descriptors: Cetacea, leisure and sport, whale watching, conservation measures, south Indian Ocean, south Pacific, Australia, whale watching management, role of research.
Webb, N.L. and P.D. Drummond (2001). The effect of swimming with dolphins on human well-being and anxiety. Anthrozoos 14(2): 81-85. ISSN: 0892-7936.
NAL Call Number: SF411.A57
Descriptors: dolphins, psychotherapy, swimming, emotions, Australia, human animal interactions.
Williams, R., D.E. Bain, J.K.B. Ford, and A.W. Trites (2002). Behavioural responses of male killer whales to a 'leapfrogging' vessel. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(3): 305-310. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: behavior, wildlife management, mathematical and computer techniques, behavioral responses, energetic consequences, engine noise, evasive behavior, leapfrogging vessel, population disturbance, swimming path, vessel speed, whale watching guidelines, whale watching practices, killer whales.
Williams, R., A.W. Trites, and D.E. Bain (2002). Behavioural responses of killer whales (Orcinus orca) to whale-watching boats: opportunistic observations and experimental approaches. Journal of Zoology (London) 256(2): 255-270. ISSN: 0952-8369.
Descriptors: behavior, marine ecology, wildlife management, monitoring method, anthropogenic disturbances, avoidance tactics, behavioral responses, boat traffic, dive times, experimental approaches, human activity, opportunistic observations, surface active behavior, swimming speed, vessel proximity, whale watching boats, killer whales.
Wursig, B. and P.G.H. Evans (2001). Cetaceans and humans: Influences of noise. In: P.G.H. Evans and J.A. Raga (Editors), Marine Mammals: Biology and Conservation, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers: New York, p. 565-587. ISBN: 0306465736.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M354 2001
Descriptors: Cetacea, conservation measures, noise pollution mitigation strategies, literature review, physical pollution, biological effects and mitigation strategies, sound, noise pollution.