After carrying out an “emergency operation” early this Wednesday, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) confirmed at night the discovery of the dolphin that prowls the waters near the Icacos islet, in Fajardowithout the mask that, according to published images, was embedded in his torso.
It is about “Miguelito”, a juvenile male dolphin, nicknamed that way, which has gone viral due to its interactions with bathers and tourists near Icacos, and which keeps the authorities on alert.
“What is happening with the dolphin is outrageous… They are abusing the dolphin”said the secretary of the DRNA, Waldemar Quilesin a press conference held early in the afternoon. At the close of this edition, around 7:30 pm, the official confirmed the discovery to this medium.
The animal remains free in Atlantic watersand was found by members of the Vigilante Corps, along with technical personnel, including biologists, assigned to the Auxiliary Secretariat of Conservation and Research of the agency, said the head of the DRNA.
Officers from the Vigilante Corps had mobilized to the scene during the early hours of the morning after receiving videos that showed the dolphin with a diving mask embedded in its skin.
“The dolphin that in recent weeks has been observed in the waters near the islet of Icacos, part of the Cayos de la Cordillera Marine Natural Reserve, and that had a diving mask embedded this morning, He was found this afternoon in good condition and without said optical equipment on his body. The DRNA biologists evaluated the state of this animal, finding that it was within the parameters of healthy and then proceeded to facilitate its access to the sea.“Quiles said in writing.
The biologist Grisel Rodríguez and Ricardo Colonboth from the DRNA, moved to the area early to try to locate him. The DRNA had warned that, upon finding it, the future of the dolphin could be in the hands of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which did not happen.
Quiles assured, at the press conference, that, from what they had seen in the images, someone must have interacted with the aquatic mammal and put on the diving mask.
“Certainly, (dolphins) have behaviors of playing with things in the sea, but it is extremely difficult, when the diameter of the dolphin’s head, neck and trunk is much larger, for the mask to be put on by itself with the band contracted. It certainly fits him, but someone had to stretch it out and put it on.“, held.
A protected species
Dolphins are protected under the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Law of 1972which prohibits hunting, harassment, or any interaction with these species, and by Law 241 on Wildlife Protection.
“Ignorance of the law does not exempt you from complying with it… When we catch whoever it is, the full weight of the law will fall on them without penalty and without glory”warned Quiles, who ordered the Vigilante Corps to continue patrolling the area.
The New Day early on Wednesday exposed the presence of the dolphin in waters near Icacos, part of the Cayos de la Cordillera de la Cordillera nature reserve. Fajardo.
Several videos shared on social networks Boating Puerto Ricoa local boat rental business, show the dolphin “Miguelito” swimming among a sea of tourists, who chase and touch him. Some comments on social media allege that they also feed the dolphin to attract it to the boats and serve as entertainment for tourists.
The DRNA had expressed concern about the health status of the dolphin The agency suspects that charter boat operators feed or use other methods to attract the animal and encourage its interaction with their tourist clients.
“We believe they have a sound instrument that makes the dolphin approach people”he pointed out Marisel Martinezassistant secretary of Conservation and Research of the DNER.
Quiles, meanwhile, warned “that people who have a charter permit to take people to certain areas and are using it for purposes that are not appropriate, will have their permit taken away.”
Reilnaldo Dominguezrepresentative of Boating PR – which does not have a Nautical Tourism certification, as provided by the Tourism Promotion Law of 2010–, he denied, in an interview with this medium, that the dolphin is fed by visitors to Icacos. “(Tourists) don’t feed him; he just shares with people. He likes to have contact with people”he emphasized.
Since June, representatives of the Marine Mammal Rescue program have warned about the risk of these interactions through comments in Boating PR videos.
In one publication On June 26, Boating PR shows a person swimming with the dolphin and using “Seabob.” They shared a similar video on July 13.
“Seabobs” are the equivalent of electric “scooters” for aquatic environments. Domínguez indicated that his company does not offer rentals of this equipment. However, in his Web page and social networkssimilar “Seabobs” are seen with offers to add them to the boat rental. He did not provide the name of the companies that do rent the equipment.
“We are concerned that, as (the dolphin) matures, it will continue to interact with people, and then begin to engage in aggressive behaviors that people interpret as recreational,” he said. Nilda Jimenezcoordinator of the DRNA Protected Species Program, before the emergency occurred this Wednesday.
“People have to leave him still so he can invest time in being a dolphin”Jiménez continued.
The DRNA urges any citizen who witnesses any interaction with the dolphin to communicate confidentially with the Rangers Corps: (787) 999-2200 ext. 2910 or 2911.