Do the animals like humans and do the volunteers get attached to the Centers patients?
Even with minimal interaction protocol, the animals in our care come to associate our volunteers with food at certain times each day. They respond by coming closer to the pen gates or vocalizing as we walk by. However, the animals remain cautious to our presence and can be easily frightened by sudden movements, loud noise, and movements indicating possible restraint. When feeling threatened, they will bite so our volunteers wear protective clothing and use equipment to reduce the risk of being harmed by an animal’s bite. These animals are wild and our goal is to release them back into the ocean. While we do get attached to them, we make every effort to avoid domestication of these wild animals. It is much to the animal’s advantage to avoid humans in their natural habitat. Animals near boats, docks, and public beaches have a higher risk of injury from entanglement, fish hooks, as well as harassment. By preventing the socialization of animals at the Center, we hope to minimize the amount
