^ Window Treatments u * ’ft. « Hardwood^ l^rwaupaper (hundreds of trooks to v Visit Our Showroom 5 4568 Long Beach Road, Southport 457-0520 Dolphins appealing but from a distance Movies and television shows that depict people swimming with dolphins may do more harm than good for the marine mammals. Well-intentioned folks who want to commune with nature may try to take a watery ride with a dolphin — and pu these creatures in harm's way. Dolphins that beg for handouts from boaters can get too close to turning propellers and sustain seri ous injuries. Because dolphins are social animals, the begging behavior and dependence on handouts can upset their groups, called pods. The animals may lose the ability to sur vive, and calves may not learn to find food in the wild. Human food can make dolphins sick, again threatening their chances of sur vival. . People can also suffer from inter actions with dolphins. As with most wild animals, dolphins can be ueiensive or Denave aggressively wnen numans approach. they have been known to bite them and even pull them from boats into the water. Folks who persist in pursuing close encounters with dolphins should know that the Marine Mammal Protection Act forbids harassing, feeding, hunting, capturing or killing them. Violating this act carries a maximum penalty of $20,000 and one year in jail. Observing dolphins from a safe distance, however, is not illegal. The National Marine Fisheries Service advises boaters to stay at least 50 yards away and let these wild animals live nature's way. Based on information in “Protect Dolphins: Admire Them From a Distance," a brochure published by the National Marine Fisheries Service. For more information about dolphins and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, contact at 301-713-2289. ® Wilmington Leland Shallotte Wallace Lumberton Clinton Jacksonville Monkey Junction Elizabethtown Murrayville Whiteville Castle Hayne Southport Burgaw OWNED AND OPERATED BY: K.E. AUSTIN CORPORATION

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