Behavioural responses of captive common dolphins Delphinus delphis to a 'Swim-with-Dolphin' programme

We monitored the effects of a 'Swim-with-Dolphin' (SWD) programme on the behaviour of three female common dolphins. They were studied from January 1999 to July 1999 at Marineland, Napier, New Zealand. Before, during and after SWD sessions we recorded: (1) the use of a refuge area, (2) the frequencies and location of surfacing and (3) the behaviour changes of the dolphins. Refuge use increased significantly during SWD sessions and within 15 min after the sessions ended returned to pre-SWD levels. During SWD sessions the dolphins surfaced more often and the percentage of surfacings in the refuge area increased. SWD sessions had little effect on the general behaviour of the dolphins. There was a slight increase in Touch and Other behaviours but contrary to expectation there was a decrease in Aggressive, Submissive, Abrupt and Play behaviour during SWD sessions. The three dolphins had similar reactions to swimmers. The SWD sessions did not appear to have a detrimental effect on the dolphins. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.