Slidell, La. -
Dozens of people gathered at the Northshore Harbor Center Monday evening to address a dolphin dilemma.
A male bottlenose dolphin has been living in a canal in Lakeshore Estates in Slidell for about seven years.
Over the years, he has become quite the attraction. More and more people are learning about him and are traveling into the canal for a closer look.
Experts say the regular interaction with humans has "socialized" the dolphin. He has become comfortable with approaching swimmers and boaters. As a result, he has become more aggressive and has even bitten a few people in the past year.
The meeting Monday included officials with Wildlife and Fisheries and NOAA Fisheries. The experts told the crowd that the dolphin will not be moved. They said the only solution is to change human behavior. If people quit feeding and engaging the dolphin, they explained, the dolphin will stop approaching people.
The next challenge is finding a way to keep the dolphin seekers from coming into the canal and interacting with it.
Residents in Lakeshore Estates are asking for larger signs to discourage human-dolphin interaction. They say they would also like to see better enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It prohibits feeding, touching or hazing the animal. Violators could face fines of up to $100,000 and up to one year in jail.
To report a violation of this law, call the NOAA enforcement hotline at 800-853-1964.
