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Dolphins in Freedom in the Grand Aquarium Called Banderas Bay
by Biol. Oscar S. Aranda Mena |
 Dolphins of Banderas Bay Dolphins differ from whales only by their size, with whales, the largest of the order, and dolphins the smallest, while some dolphins are actually larger than some of the smaller whales. In practical terms, there are about 33 species of the Family: Delphinidae, including those "flat" or without a prominent nose, such as killer whales, which are the largest. All dolphins are very social animals, and live in groups or "pods" where hierarchy is very important and its members often related. The bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) is the best known and most common dolphin, given their natural curiosity and frequent friendly contacts with humans. It is the same species of dolphin that we can observe as a permanent resident in our bay. You may find several resident pods, among which the best known pod is the one that regularly feeds off the beaches of Bucerías. There are other small pods that can be observed in both the south and the north shore of the bay.  Other Dolphin Species that Can be Observed HereIn addition to the bottle-nosed dolphin, it is common to observe in this Bay, the pan-tropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and only in enormous groups that can reach several hundred individuals. Only the adults show the white-spotted spot feature, while the young are completely gray. This species often travels long distances and prefer to be far from the coastline. A little more difficult to find in the area are the rough tooth dolphins (Steno bredanensis), although they can be easily confused with bottlenose dolphins, they are smaller and the lower part of their body is almost all white. A pod of these dolphins is often seen catching fish in the vicinity of Los Arcos, but it takes luck and patience to see them.  Viewing Dolphins in Freedom Vs Dolphins in CaptivityThe are clearly different experiences, as we can not expect to see dolphins in captivity in a way that we would a pod of wild dolphins, and we cannot expect to interact closely with wild dolphins as we would in a dolphinarium. On the one hand, the experience that you can have swimming with a dolphin in captivity can be extremely deep and even "healing", but it is worth mentioning that these animals are trained to interact with you and are not "born" to it. To achieve this, the animals are "rewarded" constantly with food. On the other hand, while a "close encounter" with a wild dolphin may be fortuitous and unlikely, however, when this occurs, I can assure you that the meeting is truly authentic, fostered by an animal whose intelligence exceeds our understanding. Dolphin Intelligence Although dolphins are among the most intelligent of all mammals, the fact that it is not "human" intelligence, prevents us from understanding and interpreting it correctly. However, a simple examination of their brain allows us to easily imagine the intelligence potential they possess, because its brain is larger (in proportion to its body) than that of man, and dolphins have even demonstrated an ability to solve problems at the level of chimpanzees. Therein lays the disappointment that some people may experience when looking for a close encounter with wild dolphins. They may expect them to give the same warm enthusiastic welcome as those in an aquarium, however, these dolphins are likely far more preoccupied with finding food and coping with the ravages of the ocean, such as pollution, fishing nets and hooks, and trash everywhere. I think it is yet another clear demonstration of their intelligence that they are instead suspicious and reserved when it comes to "swimming with humans." To truly understand the nature of the dolphins, there is nothing better than observing them in their natural environment, without the limitation of walls following commands. If you prefer THIS type of dolphin encounter, just book a dolphin tour and admire them in complete freedom. |
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