Fotoğraf: Derya Yıldırım
Tom ve Misha’nın esaret altındayken edindikleri alışkanlardan kurtulup doğaya yeniden uyum sağlamaları için 20 ay süren rehabilitasyon sürecini üstlenen Born Free ekibinin açıklaması, Tom ve Misha’nın doğal yaşamda hayatta kalabilmeleri çok önemli. Detayları, İngilizce versiyonuyla birlikte aşağıda bulabilirsiniz.
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Her iki yunusun hareketleri, uluslararası bir uzman ekip tarafından uydu vericileriyle sürekli takip ediliyor. Şu anda Yunanistan’daki Archipelagos da takip çalışmalarımıza yardımcı oluyor. Yunuslar makul hızda uzak mesafelere yüzebiliyor ve iyi besleniyorlar. Tüm bunlar, Tom ve Misha’nın doğaya yeniden adapte olabildiğinin göstergeleri.
Şu anda bu hayvanlara yönelik en büyük tehdit, insanlarla yeniden etkileşime girmeleri. Bu yunuslar, yıllar süren esaret hayatı boyunca insanlarla yakın temasta oldukları için fazlasıyla sosyal davranışlar sergiliyorlar. Artık bu hayvanların içgüdülerini takip etmeleri ve yaban hayata alışmaları gerekiyor. İnsanlarla kuracakları herhangi bir iletişim, onların doada hayatta kalma şanslarını büyük ölçüde azaltacaktır.
Tom ve Misha’yı nasıl tanıyabilirsiniz? İkisi de büyük ve oldukça sağlıklı afalina türü yunuslar. Onları diğer yunuslardan ayıran en büyük özellik, sırt yüzgeçlerindeki ufak antenli uydu takip cihazları.
Onları gördüğünüzde ne yapmalısınız? Onlara yaklaşmadan belirli bir mesafede kalın. İnsanların onlarla iletişim kurduğunu görürseniz, onlara uzak durmaları gerektiğini söyleyin ve en yakın yerel Sahil Güvenlik birimine haber verin.
TOM AND MISHA CONTINUE TO ADAPT TO LIFE IN THE WILD
DOLPHIN REHABILITATION PROGRAMME , TURKEY
Since their release into the wild on May 9th, following 20 months in a dedicated and expert rehabilitation programme, Tom and Misha have made excellent progress. According to the satellite mapping, they have travelled hundreds of miles in a pattern that indicates they remain healthy and are feeding well. While the dolphins have split up, the tracking team have been able to obtain many good visual observations of Tom confirming he is in excellent body condition thus supporting the information supplied by the satellite tags.
The main threat to their chances of making a full re-adaption to life in the wild is human intervention. Both dolphins were originally wild caught and through their enforced captivity have known a great deal of human contact. Their rehabilitation programme took them through the many stages required to reduce their dependance on human contact and transfer their diet from dead fish being fed to them by their carers to the hunting of remotely supplied live fish. Via these techniques they have become efficient and independent hunters, as well as healthy and strong dolphins, ready to take their place back in the wild.
Recent reports confirm that Tom has been swimming in the vicinity of Kusadasi and it is here he has faced a potential threat from the unwarranted attention of the local aquarium. Representatives interacted with him with training whistles and the provision of food. Tom has confirmed his independence by swimming away. However, if such interactions are repeated again and again problems could ensue.
‘This interaction with Tom is most unhelpful as he finally adapts to life back in the wild, and could cause a critical set back to Tom’s progress if allowed to continue. Our team in Turkey and our project lawyer, Sule Beder, have made it clear this intervention must stop immediately. Our team is on-site now.’ confirmed Alison Hood.
Jeff Foster, who has led the rehabilitation programme and is in Kusadasi confirms ‘Tom is looking good. Port Authorities in Turkey and Greece are being supportive and, understanding of this crucial time for Tom and Misha, are working with us to help ensure both dolphins integrate fully back to the wild without further human interference’.
In Greece, Greek NGO Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is working with the Port Authorities to relay the message that it is vital people do not interact with any dolphin that swims close to the shore. Harbour areas often provide good and sheltered hunting grounds for dolphins, so it is not surprising if Tom or Misha, or other wild dolphins, go in search of such a food source. It is vitally important that such dolphins are not interfered with and allowed to behave naturally. In Turkey, the NGO Ekosistemi Koruma ve Doğa Severler Derneği is working closely with the team and Sualti Arastirmalari Dernegi continue with their support.
Kaynak/Source: Born Free
