17.03.2023 – Local energy

Madeira is known for the warm hearted people that greet you and accommodate you during your stay on the island…but its cetaceans are equally approachable! While many species of cetaceans use Madeira as a sort of “gas station on the highway”, some Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) come here frequently enough to be considered residents by local scientists. Despite them sharing this site fidelity to the islands waters, the species are in fact completely different both in regards to their appearance and their social lives.

Bottlenose dolphins live in fluidly structured groups consisting of carefully selected companions which can often be considered as friends. The implications of these friendships stretch across most aspects of the dolphins life, even helping ensure their survival. Pilot whales, on the other hand, live in stable family groups where all females take on the responsibility of raising the calves and teaching them the culture of the pod. 

Despite their differences, Bottlenose dolphins and Short-finned pilot whales are often seen in the same sightings area and are even frequently observed socialising with each other. While the implications of such aggregations are still unknown, scientists do closely observe the populations and the species occurrence patterns can shed light on the current health of the ecosystems they thrive in. What a pleasure it was to meet these formidable and important predators today!

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Stenella

09:30 Bottlenose dolphins

16:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales