New Zealand has decided to partially ban swimming with dolphins because tourists are ‘loving them too much.’
The attraction in the Bay of Islands off the coast of North Island has long been popular but the close interaction with humans is killing them off.
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation says the bottleneck dolphin population has declined 66% since 1990 and has 75% mortality rate for young dolphins.
“Research shows that interaction with the bottlenose dolphins is having a significant impact on the populations resting and feeding behaviour and that people are ‘loving the dolphins too much’,” the Department of Conservation said.
The department said it may also ban or restrict dolphin attractions elsewhere.
It will also limit dolphin spotting tours by boat.
“They spend far less time feeding, nursing their young and sleeping’ because of a steady stream of tourists.
It will also restrict dolphin spotting boat tours to just morning and early afternoon trips and reduce the tour length from 30 minutes to 20 minutes.