Unfortunately, there are many threats against Bottlenose dolphins. Some of the threats come from other sea life, humans, and commercial fishing. In this article, you will find Bottlenose dolphin facts about threats against them and how to save one if you ever encounter a beached dolphin. So, take a look at these Bottlenose dolphin threats and maybe you can one day help a dolphin.

Are Bottlenose Dolphins Endangered?

Are Bottlenose dolphins endangered? Well, the answer to that question is yes and no. Yes, because in a few parts of the world they are endangered due to the fact that many people kill them and eat them. No, because in the majority of the world, they aren’t.

What is Harming the Dolphins?

The Bottlenose dolphin threats list goes on and on. Some of the threats come from commercial fisherman, where other threats come from whales that eat the dolphins. You also have those who fish for the dolphins, catch them and sell them for the meat. Though dolphins are amazingly smart, there are some things they just can’t avoid.

Sea Life Prey

Many forms of sea life feed on dolphins. Sometimes the Bottlenose dolphins just can’t escape the raft of a hungry sea enemy. Some of the predators include sharks and Killer whales. Many sharks like the Great White shark, Tiger shark, Bull shark, and the Dusky shark will come after the dolphins and eat them. Stingrays are also known as predators in the Bottlenose dolphin world. However, the stingray does not eat the dolphin, the dolphin dies from wounds inflicted by the Stingrays poison. Most people think only Killer whales kill dolphins, but as you can see, that is not true at all.

Human Threats

Humans play a big part in adding threats to these dolphins. In some countries, as sad as it is to say, people will catch the dolphins on a line or in a net and sell them. They kill the dolphins once they are caught and sell them to profit from the meat or keep them for themselves to eat. It is illegal in some countries, but not all countries have outlawed it. Even in countries that its illegal in, people still continue to do it.

Another threat includes humans throwing out nets to catch fish, shrimp and other sea life and accidentally getting dolphins tangled up. The main reason a dolphin will get tangled in a net is for the food. They will see all of this food swimming around in a confined trapped area and they will think, “Oh boy, buffet!”. Once they proceed to prey on the trapped fish, they get caught in the net and die.

How to Save a Beached Dolphin

Many Bottlenose dolphins become stranded on shore. This happens for a few reasons, but no matter the reason, you can help a dolphin if you ever encounter one out of the water and needing help. Get someone other than you to call 911 and they can transfer you to the appropriate officials. Tell them you have an emergency and what is going on. In the meantime, you will need to find something to put water in and keep pouring the water on the dolphin. That will help the dolphin breathe long enough for someone to come haul it back into the ocean.