Dolphin ecology, behavior and conservation

THE TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO

The Tuamotu Archipelago - population of 15,000 people -, an area highly threatened by climate change, contains 78 atolls spread across an 800,000-square-kilometer ocean surface. It has 800 square kilometers of land for 20,000 square kilometers of lagoon - 0.1% and 2% of its maritime area respectively -, demonstrating how fragile this oasis of aquatic biodiversity is. The Tuamotu atolls are characterized by their height, shape, exposure to the ocean, population, and the activities performed there. There are small, closed lagoons, both hypersaline and brackish, and large lagoons open to the ocean like Fakarava, which features the largest pass in French Polynesia at 1,600 meters, and even a raised coral atoll, Makatea. Coral growth, which allows these small island reefs of only a few meters in altitude to exist, is directly affected by the slow and irreversible acidification of the oceans - a 30% increase over two and a half centuries. Here, as anywhere else, ecosystems are defenseless against commercial, demographic, and climate pressures. Here, more than anywhere else, the status of the marine mammal populations is largely unknown.

RANGIROA ATOLL

Yet 350 kilometers from Tahiti in the northwest Tuamotu Islands, the giant atoll of Rangiroa - ‘Great Sky’ in Paumotu -, a true oasis of life and diversity in the heart of the tropical Pacific, stretches its 170 kilometers of coral reefs, sands, and coconut trees around a 1,600-square-kilometer area with waters so fish-laden that it has become one of the world's top diving destinations. The atoll's impressive size - 80 kilometers long by 20 kilometers wide on average - and its two large passes, Avatoru and Tiputa, make it home to marine wildlife as exceptional as it is impressive.

THE NGO

Dolphins of Rangiroa - DOR - is a French Polynesian NGO dedicated to research, citizen science, conservation, education, and information sharing on Rangiroa common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia.

Born in 2019, DOR benefits from a 10-year scientific monitoring experience on Rangiroa bottlenose dolphins and a 8-year experience with ecovolunteers from all over the world who join us every year to help the NGO complete its field missions.

We focus our work on 1. A demographic and social monitoring of the bottlenose dolphin community inhabiting Tiputa waters, on the northern part of Rangiroa atoll, and 2. A better understanding of the behavioral changes observed in these animals as part of their interactions with diving tourism. We are thus interested in each of the dolphins’ history and personality.

THE COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

The common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, is distributed throughout the five Polynesian archipelagoes. However, the species is most regularly seen in Rangiroa atoll than in other Polynesian islands. In French Polynesia, adults can reach up to 3.5 meters and weigh up to 450 kilos. They are easily identified by their stocky and grayish body prolongated by a thick rostrum. The line of their mouth, curved upwards, gives them a ‘smiling’ appearance. Nevertheless, this morphological feature does not reflect the overall species’ behaviors as these dolphins have an extremely complex social life and may display affiliative behaviors such as play and petting as well as agonistic ones - e.g. intimidation, aggression. The numerous marks, notches and scars visible on the adult males’ bodies perfectly illustrate these animals’ strength.

RANGIROA DOLPHINS AND THE DIVING TOURISM ISSUE

Since 2009, DOR's research director has been studying the bottlenose dolphin community inhabiting the northern part of Rangiroa atoll. Her work mainly focuses on the impacts of tourist activities on the dolphins’ behavioral repertoire. Indeed, these animals are targeted daily by ‘dolphin watching’ activities. Literature and the media have endowed cetaceans with a reputation that predisposes people to expect friendly interactions with free-ranging dolphins. Theme parks and aquaria, where people can touch, feed and swim with captive dolphins, enhance this reputation.

The popularity of marine mammal viewing activities can result in conservation and socioeconomic benefits for the animals and local communities alike if they are conducted responsibly and with care, in accordance with existing regulations that protect these iconic species. However, if viewing activities are not conducted appropriately, they can place marine mammals at significant risk of harassment, injury or death.

Some of Rangiroa dolphins have been conditioned on the medium to long term to tolerate or even seek out physical contact with scuba divers and snorkelers. Such a situation raises concerns about the risks associated with unmanaged interactions between humans and dolphins in their natural habitat. These risks include:

1. An increase in the number of accidents involving dolphins and divers through, for example, ‘pushy’ behaviours or intimidation attempts from the dolphins and / or divers forgetting basic diving safety rules;

2. Disease transmission from the dolphins to humans, and vice versa;

3. An increased vulnerability to human activities of dolphins which have become too familiar to human presence - loss of vigilance toward human activities -, resulting in collisions with boats, propeller injuries, fishing gear entanglement, etc.;

4. Reduced overall behavioral repertoires, compromising ‘wildness’;

5. Changes in ranging and social patterns;

6. The implementation of an ‘open water dolphinarium’ situation lacking basic educational components.

OUR GOALS

For many years, divers and snorkelers have encouraged physical contact with Tiputa bottlenose dolphins, especially with young individuals. Some of these dolphins are now extremely familiar with humans, making them particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities. Indeed, overconfident animals may easily be injured or even destroyed if displaying invasive or aggressive behavior toward humans.

The annual research and conservation actions of DOR are as follows:

1. Long-term demographic and ecological monitoring of the Tiputa bottlenose dolphin community - abundance, community structure, site fidelity, social organization, reproduction parameters, kinship, diet.

2. Long-term ethological monitoring to describe and better understand the impacts of tourism on the dolphins’ behaviors and identify risks associated with close interactions between dolphins and divers or snorkelers.

3. Awareness campaigns aiming at sharing our results and recommendations with the general public to help improving humans' relationships with wildlife.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER?

Volunteers will discover the dolphins' habitat and be involved in our dolphin monitoring program. They will be trained to identify Rangiroa bottlenose dolphins individually, spot some basic affiliative and agonistic behaviors, and help collecting surface and underwater photo and video data.

Our missions are open to beginners but it is necessary to have minimum a level 1, Open Water PADI / SSI or an equivalent diving certification to participate in scuba diving activities, with an experience of at least 15 to 20 dives already carried out at sea.

Scuba divers must show their certification card and logbook before the first dive.

For non divers, it is possible to assist in snorkeling data collection on one mission programmed in June / July. Snorkelers must have good swimming skills, be in good physical condition and be comfortable at sea. They should not be susceptible to seasickness.

In order to be able to enjoy the lagoon during free time, we advise every participant to bring his / her own fins, mask and snorkel.

WHAT ARE THE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

As part of our underwater monitoring, we offer scuba divers to participate in the following activities:

1. Underwater video shooting of the bottlenose dolphins’ behaviors.

Before each dive, a briefing focusing on the diving location, sea conditions and safety procedures will be led by our diving instructor. After each dive, a debriefing will then be led by the research coordinator. The divers will follow their guide throughout the dive which generally lasts from 45 to 70'. Depending on the dive duration, time spent at sea is approximately 60-90’. The sighting area is located about 5’ by boat from the diving center.

As part of our surface monitoring, snorkelers will be invited to participate in the following activities:

2. Boat and snorkeling survey at sea.

When weather conditions are good, boat and snorkeling surveys will be conducted at sea. The boat will drift over the main dolphin habitat. You will be supervised by an experienced guide and a captain to discover the Tuamotu islands' marine environment and collect photo and video data. This activity will usually last from 70 to 90’.

We strongly recommend you to bring your own underwater camera. 

3. Land sightings.

Long breaking waves - called ‘mascaret’ - resulting from the meeting of a tidal current coming out of the lagoon with ocean water run through Tiputa pass two times a day. This exceptional setting constitutes a privileged socialization ground for the bottlenose dolphins which regularly come to surf and leap into the waves. This is the perfect location to watch, practice photo identification and get a glimpse of the social organization of the dolphin community from land. This activity will last about 1:30 and will be supervised by DOR's research coordinator.

4. Part of the day will be dedicated to data processing, comments, debates and training courses.

WITH WHOM WILL THE VOLUNTEERS BE WORKING WITH?

The volunteers will be supervised by DOR's research coordinator, our captains and diving instructors.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THE VOLUNTEERS?

Our mission is a participative tool for the demographic, ecological and ethological monitoring of a small bottlenose dolphin community strongly impacted by wildlife tourism. It will allow you to observe and better understand these animals' routine, issues related to their conservation, and the complexity of the relationships between humans and iconic wildlife while helping DOR to sustain its dolphin monitoring program.

WHAT CAN THE VOLUNTEERS EXPECT FROM US?

DOR's research coordinator has been monitoring this small dolphin community for more than ten years. She will share her experience and knowledge rigorously and objectively. Volunteers are deeply involved in our work and usually leave the mission with a new perception of the dolphins and their environment, that is closer to reality than myth. Our captains and diving instructors all know the location very well and will also share their knowledge with great pleasure and spontaneity.

DO THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO BRING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT?

We strongly recommend volunteers to bring their own fins, mask and snorkel, a lycra or a wet suit, and their own underwater camera. It may be useful to bring a laptop and hard drive. We also advise everyone to bring a hat or cap, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a seasickness remedy, a raincoat, a mosquito repellent, and a tube of antibiotic ointment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Volunteers should be in good physical and mental condition, with no heart disease or treatment requiring immediate proximity to hospitals.
  
• We strongly advise people who have not dived or snorkeled for more than six months to do a security visit to an ENT and a refresh dive.
  
• Volunteers must have a good ability to live with others.
  
• Some cooking notions and computer skills will be highly appreciated.
  
• Adaptability, patience, thoroughness and good humor are welcome.
  

GOOD TO KNOW

• A biometric passport and an ESTA form are required for stopovers in the USA.
  
• The voltage used in French Polynesia is 220V.
  
• All field activities are dependent on the weather and currents.
• It is prohibited to dive less than 12:00 before a domestic flight and 24:00 for an international flight.
• The water is always at perfect temperature - between 25 and 29°C. However, you should beware of currents, especially along channels.
• Avoid swimming at night or wearing shiny jewelry while swimming or diving near the reefs - moray eels, barracudas. We do not recommended swimming in areas where fish have recently been cleaned. Beware of stonefish and do not touch the coral or other animals. Never collect live coral or shells.
• We recommend wearing a Neoprene suit. You should generally avoid walking barefoot in the water.
• Be careful of the sun and dehydration. We strongly recommend bringing sunscreen, antibiotic ointment, and antihistamine cream.
• Beware of mosquitoes during longer stays - dengue fever is still a risk. There are no mosquitoes at sea.
• Fresh water is a rare and precious commodity in the Tuamotu Islands.
• Be careful not to feed stray dogs and cats to avoid familiarizing them near the bungalows or kitchen.
• The local currency is the French Pacific franc, which is indexed to the euro. €1=XPF 119.33. Cash is handy when you want to buy yourself a sandwich or a drink, or take a taxi. ATMs are found at Rangiroa airport and Tiputa village. A meal at a snack bar costs about XPF 1,700 - €14. Expect to pay XPF 3,000 / person in a small restaurant and XPF 6,000 in a large restaurant. 1.5-liter soft drink > about XPF 600. A box of inexpensive cakes > XPF 250. Taxi ride > XPF 1,000 / 12 kilometers in Tahiti; XPF 500–1,000 / person on the islands. Land-based Wi-Fi internet connection > XPF 500 / hour – XPF 12,000 / 50 hours. Phone card > XPF 1,000. If you want to use your cell phone in Polynesia, please contact your carrier before the trip.
• Rangiroa has a dispensary, doctors and a pharmacy.
• Baggage from overseas cannot exceed 30 kilograms.
• Drugs are strictly forbidden.

WHAT DOES THE VOLUNTEER DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?

ARE THERE SPECIAL WORKING HOURS?

Field sessions typically last about half a day. Training and data analysis typically last about two hours every day. These activities usually take place somewhere between 7:30 and 11:00 am and 13:30 and 16:00 pm.

SWIMMING

In French Polynesia, water is always at perfect temperature. However, you should beware of currents, especially along channels. We also recommend wearing a wet suit and avoiding walking barefoot in the water.

SCUBA DIVING

It is possible to book exploratory and drift dives for your free time.

HIKING

Volunteers can visit Avatoru and Tiputa villages. They can also book local tours: The ''reef island'' and "blue lagoon" sites are particularly popular.