Marine conservation charities British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), Marine Connection and The Seal Project are advising people to act with caution around a lone bottlenose dolphin which has turned up in the Torbay area of Devon, UK. 

The dolphin is known as a ‘social solitary’ dolphin. In this highly unusual circumstance, an individual chooses to interact primarily with people and watercraft rather than living with other dolphins, which leaves them very vulnerable to disturbance, anti-social behaviour and boat strikes.   

Originally from Moray Firth, Scotland, the male dolphin in the Torbay area migrated to Dorset a few years ago with his mother, but a few weeks ago, they separated. Arriving in Torbay, the dolphin began exhibiting behavioural traits associated with social solitary dolphins.

“We’re very concerned with Easter coming up that there will be a huge increase in activity on the water, particularly from people who do not know how to act appropriately around wildlife,” says BDMLR’s director of welfare and conservation, Dan Jarvis. “Our priority is to work to keep this animal safe from poor behaviour and harm similar to what we have sadly experienced in the past with this type of animal and their unique behaviour.”

“We are communicating with key contacts in the area, such as harbourmasters, MDL Marinas, boat trip operators, the RNLI and others to advise them of this situation and are extending that advice publicly to try to keep both people and the animal safe.”

In the last three years, two dolphins of a similar nature were killed in separate incidents along the south coast of the UK as a result of being hit by boat propellors in the last three years.

Marine Connection co-founder Liz Sandeman comments: “Sadly, the more dolphins become habituated through prolonged human contact and behaviours develop, the greater the potential for accidents and injury to both the dolphin and members of the public to occur. Dolphins are powerful marine mammals and have been known to, albeit unintentionally at times, seriously injure people when thrashing their tails or even butting them with their rostrum.  

“As the spring/summer holiday season approaches and the number of people visiting the area increases, it is vital that guidelines are closely followed to ensure the welfare of the dolphin, which itself can become injured during interactions, sometimes fatally.”

The three charities are working together alongside the Marine Management Organisation and Devon and Cornwall Police to raise awareness of the unique situation around this dolphin, and the wider issue of marine wildlife disturbance as part of a major national initiative called Operation Seabird. Dolphins are protected from disturbance under the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981, and anyone who encounters the dolphin should act with caution and follow advice, including:

  • To not purposely go into the water/approach to interact with it.
  • To not attempt to feed it.
  • To keep boats moving at a steady course and speed, or stationary.
  • To avoid any chasing and fast manoeuvres.
  • To avoid surrounding it.

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