Photo by LARA CERRI | Times

Dolphins can die as result of human interference as happened recently to a wild dolphin in Sarasota. He had been fed for so long by humans that he was known as “Beggar”. He had multiple injuries and illnesses and likely died a painful death.   This photo from a 2009 article in the Tampa Bay Times shows how bad the problem was.   Here Beggar is being given beer!

 

While the Kiawah River dolphins do not seem to be under immediate vital threat; harassment, people swimming and fishing where the dolphins feed, has been increasing. In the Charleston area at least one dolphin was killed last year by a motor boat and people regularly feed the dolphins in Shem Creek. Their unfortunate end may be no better than Beggar’s.