How Far Will Dolphins Go to Relate to Humans?

[groovedaddy]

OFF THE BAHAMAS — In a remote patch of turquoise sea, Denise L. Herzing splashes into the water with a pod of 15 Atlantic spotted dolphins. For the next 45 minutes, she engages the curious creatures in a game of keep-away, using a piece of Sargassum seaweed like a dog’s chew toy.

Dr. Herzing is no tourist cavorting with marine mammals. As the world’s leading authority on the species, she has been studying the dolphins for 25 years as part of the Wild Dolphin Project, the longest-running underwater study of its kind.

“I’m kind of an old-school naturalist,” she said. “I really believe in immersing yourself in the environment of the animal.”

Immerse herself she has. Based in Jupiter, Fla., she has tracked three generations of dolphins in this area. She knows every animal by name, along with individual personalities and life histories. She has captured much of their lives on video, which she is using to build a growing database.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/science/20dolphin.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha210

[dtexdem]

1. I'm not sure -- but I think attending fundie church services goes way beyond what they will do.

;-)

[GiveMeFreedom]

2. delete

[Voice for Peace]

3. I hope they will be successful at communicating with humans

and the humans will pay attention to what they have to say.

[tgearfanatic234]

9. +1

[benld74]

4. Maybe something Like 'So Long and Thanks for All the Fish'?

[DetlefK]

5. This galaxy definitively needs more hyperspace-routes. The traffic jam is horror.

[formercia]

7. Besides that:

The Food on this planet sucks.

[groovedaddy]

8. You haven't tried cheetos and spam!?! n.t

[badgerpup]

6. Just flashed through me mind...

Do dolphins have 'legends' about humans the same way we do about them? :crazy: