Tourists Injured by Whales: Questioning the Ethics of Wildlife Interaction

These gentle dolphins using ” classical defensive actions“, is proof of their stress and upset.

Three serious injuries occurred in one week on Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Australia’s north-west. The incidents involved tourists who were swimming with whales during new organized tours. Flying Doctor had to fly a 27-year-old woman to Perth to receive treatment after she was hit by a whale. She suffered internal bleeding and broken ribs. Another woman was injured in the same way a week later. There have also been minor incidents involving tourists. All of this is because the entrepreneurs want to bring another extreme attraction to tourists visiting the reef. As if shadowing them in boats with boats was not enough to disturb them.

All these incidents were not caused by whales’ malice, but rather by humans who got in the way of the whales and upset them. They also posed a perceived danger to their calves. One tour operator said:

“ The whale immediately swam directly at the group of tourists to put herself between them and her calf. She then engaged in several really classic defensive measures right next to the crowd including slapping down her tail and pectoral fins into the water. Unfortunately, one swimmer was seriously injured by the tail of the whale and another by its pectoral fin.

Nine News Perth

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is monitoring these new swimming encounters at the Ningaloo Marine Park and they will be undoubtedly a huge success. The industry is scheduled to be licensed permanently in 2021 after a five-year test. All kinds of regulations, code of practice, and safety procedures will be tested just to make money. The question is whether the Government Conservation Department should encourage such ventures.

All of us want to be like David Attenborough.

In our quest to get close to wild animals, we seem to go to any lengths to stress and disturb them in their natural habitat. This compulsion is fuelled by social media, and the desire to imitate celebrities and wildlife presenters like David Attenborough and Steve Irwin. Animals are only there to entertain us, and they have no interest in living a life on their own. Everyone wants a piece.

Everyone wants to be a part of the action, whether it’s swimming with dolphins or aggravating the sharks in cages. Others want to take selfies with tigers or monkeys that are high on drugs, or ride elephants. Everyone wants to be up close to an exotic animal, take a photo or selfie to post on social media. This is despite the suffering and stress caused to animals.

It’s not that people don’t want to see animals, but there are just too many of them. This only encourages more wildlife encountersto ease our lives and make it easier for us. We do this without considering the suffering or stress we might be causing. It is not wrong to want to be around animals, but it must be done with discretion and for the right reasons. It should be an experience that is respectful and personal, and not just to take a selfie or touch the animal. We are unfortunately reaching a stage where we can’t all be David Attenborough. We don’t need to go in the water. We can view marine life from a boat.