Wild "Horny" Dolphin

Haha! This is actually quite common in dolphins. Some friends of mine work on a dolphin behavior research project in the Bahamas and have told me CRAZY stories about what the dolphins get up too. Although I love seeing them in the water, after hearing some of the stories, I've never been able to think about them the same way.

Male green sea turtles get really horny too and sometimes try to latch onto divers. Eek.

This is very common. I've worked with dolphins quite a bit over the years, and they really are not the friendly "Flipper" types that pop culture wants people to believe. Dolphins interact with people more often because they're curious, and fun - and sometimes horny! - than any other reason. Even though they are intelligent and emotive, people need to not project human emotional rationales on them. That is an invalid thing to do.

This discussion has nothing to do with moving to the VI. According to JulieKay it shouldn't be allowed. The original article did not mention the VI at all.

I consider it a warning to people who are considering a swim with the dolphins excursion like the one on Tortola.

Sorry, I didn't mean to pick on you. I just used this thread as an example since it was the most recent one which did not directly relate to moving to the VI. I was in a discussion with JulieKay last night and she said that only threads which involved moving to the VI should be allowed since that is what this forum is about.

A number of us disagree with her assessment and feel that items of interest to those of us who live here are also relevant. I personally have no problem with this are any other thread that does not personally attack someone else or promote violence against another person.

Sorry,
John

I consider it a warning to people who are considering a swim with the dolphins excursion like the one on Tortola.

And of course Coral World on STT is also seeking a license for a similar venue.

No problem, rotorhead. I'm trying to figure out how the USVI can compete for tourist dollars when so many other similar destinations are offering unnatural wildlife encounters. In Antigua, they feed the stingrays to attract them to Sting Ray City, and I've read posts from people who've had painful bites from the rays, yet it's a very popular attraction. In Barbados, they feed the sea turtles from the boat to attract them, and now the turtles know when it's "lunch time" and they show up in large numbers. Visitors LOVE it, and always recommend that excursion. I've been to our Turtle Cove twice, and now want to see how Barbados' turtle excursions compare.

None of these wildlife encounters warns people about the possible dangers from human feedings, and people assume these activities are danger free. It's a fine line between educating people about risks and scaring them away from an activity or destination. I'll post whatever I find that involves wildlife, and "caveat emptor" for the visitor, or as the store in NY used to say, "An Educated Consumer is Our Best Customer."

Sigh. I think we need a larger, more influential platform to protect our natural resources. Trying to figure out how I can get the Sierra Club involved. Any ideas greatly appreciated!

Contact the Sierra Club and ask.
I'll go thru my e-mails and see if I have a recent contact for them and send you a link or e-mail address but just deleted a whole lotta stuff over the weekend. You could also google them and look on their board of directors for a contact person.

It is not a good thing when wild life becomes dependant on human feeding, especially if it is junk food.

I happen to be a member of the Sierra Club, and want to join the closest chapter which is in PR, but their site is in Spanish, and I haven't been able to translate the membership page using Google translate. The next time I go to PR, I'll get my friend to help me.

send me the Sierra club link.

Now that the Renissance has development premits, does that mean that Coral World's marine mammal rehab project is "dead in the water"? I thought something was "fishy" with the timing of that petition.....

Noramlly I am against ALL Beach front development. And, secrecty wish that Megans Bay Authorty would take over.... But, I do kinda understand the practicality of the renissance renovation. I just wish the premits were issued for smaller scale project and included some community development for Smith Bay.

Blu4u, here's the link to the Sierra Club page I need translated. I joined through the national page, because I didn't understand PR's page, but really want to join the PR chapter. I don't know if/how I can transfer my national membership to the PR chapter.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puertorico.sierraclub.org%2Fcalendar%2Findex.html&anno=2

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer!

And, secrecty wish that Megans Bay Authorty would take over....

The Magens Bay Authority is a semi-autonomous government agency which isn't empowered to oversee or manage any private development. They rely primarily on entrance fees to the two beaches they oversee for their operating expenses. Interestingly enough (and to their absolute credit) they're the only agency with any connection to the government which doesn't either ask for or receive government funding or subsidies.

Thank you for explaining the organization of Magen Bay Authority for those who are not familiar with the structure. I suppose I should have been clearer. (as it was infered but not layed out) I wish that ownership would be transfered and Magen Bay Authorty would take over management of pinnaple beach. Wasn't megen's bay once private? Same with Lindquist? And I know of many other very nice privaely owned beaches that would make excelant park. Personally, in my opinion,,(and some will disagree) St Thomas alrady has enogh beach front reasorts. Just look at how the beach in front of the Ritz condos (black beards) was negetively impacted by delopment. And who profited--certainly not many Virgin Islanders.

I a agree that something needed to be done with the old renissance, but I'm disapointed in the scale of the renovations and that no provisions are in place to enhance the surronding niegbor hood. I just don't like the idea of our government pimping our beaches for a quick fix of cash. That's my opinion and I suppose it's not popular, but i hope that Islander allows this post to remain.

Magens was owned by Arthur Fairchild who generously donated 50 acres of the land to the municipality of St Thomas/St John in 1943. The Lindqvist family owned that land and in the recent past sold it to the government who renamed it Smith Bay Park. Unless huge deposits of oil or precious metals are discovered in the area it's not likely the VI government will ever be able to afford the purchase of private land for park space! In my opinion we have ample recreational areas to accommodate the needs and desires of both residents and visitors alike.

I realize that the VI govenment doesn't have the funds to pay market value for the property. Substantal tax breaks and other "benies" are normally offered as incentives to facilitate with these type of transfers. Many visitors are seeking a "tropical uncrowed beach" experience. That is reason behind STJs popularity despite high prices and complicted logistics. In my opinion, and yours may differ, St Thomas has enough developed beaches. Giving visitors more choices and perserving more beaches for "park-like experiences" wouldn't be a bad thing. In the case of the renisance's permits, I get it. I don't like it, but I get it. The VI and our representatives need money.
Islander, since so many of my posts (with un-popular viewpoints) have been removed, I suppose this will be too. I'm sorry if I offended you or other posters with my viewpoints on ecological sustainability or other social issues. I aslo realize that my opion may be considered radcal and other are not in favor of conversavation. Again this is my opinion and should not be consider an attack.

OT. I am now leaving this discussion, as I believe my original point (relating to dolphins) is clearer: I like the megan's bay authorty and wish they could take over management of more of St Thomas's lovely beaches. I suspect that the recent petion against coral world marine mamimal expansion was back-handed internet public realtions manuver to push through the renissance permits.

Most of St. Thomas's lovely beaches belong to the Hotel entities that build/occupy them.
This goes for Pineapple Beach.

OT. I am now leaving this discussion, as I believe my original point (relating to dolphins) is clearer: I like the megan's bay authorty and wish they could take over management of more of St Thomas's lovely beaches. I suspect that the recent petion against coral world marine mamimal expansion was back-handed internet public realtions manuver to push through the renissance permits.

And I couldn't disagree more. The dissension came primarily from people who have carefully done their research on dolphins in captivity for entertainment purposes and have issues with the programs in general. Had you actually gone to the petition website and read the comments from those who opposed the project (or researched the general opposition worldwide), this would have been very clear. If Coral World is indeed planning to offer safe harbor for rescued dolphins who would otherwise not have a life to live then such a plan would be morally acceptable but (and again you would have to do just a little research on the subject) this isn't always the case by any stretch. To attribute some sort of political conspiracy to the objections and unresolved questions is risible.

PS: Before you jump on me, this is not a personal attack but, although we understand that visitors don't understand local history and misspell local names and sites, you might as a longtime resident get the spelling of Magens down pat. It's a Danish surname - Magens. Magens Bay, Magens beach. No apostrophe, no first "e". Thanks.

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