33 swimmers accused of harassing pod of dolphins, Hawaii officials say

Drone video shows 33 swimmers accused of “aggressively pursuing, corralling, and harassing” a pod of dolphins, Hawaii officials reported.

The video and photos were captured Sunday, March 26, at Hōnaunau Bay, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a news release.

Wildlife officers spotted the incident while on routine patrol, the release said. They met the 33 swimmers on the shore and began an investigation.

A federal law issued in 2021 prohibits people from swimming within 50 yards of spinner dolphins in Hawaii, USA Today reported. The ban came about because too many tourists were swimming with dolphins, preventing them from getting enough rest.

Drone video released by the department shows hordes of swimmers splashing after the fleeing dolphins.

This story was originally published March 29, 2023 at 12:20 PM with the headline "33 swimmers accused of harassing pod of dolphins, Hawaii officials say."