28.09.2021 – A real hero

As we went out today, a yellow veil lay over the sea. Is it Saharan dust, effects of the volcanic eruption on La Palma or something else? We do not know it. It took a while until we found something. But then it was a beautiful observation of a group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). It looked like the ocean variant. These animals are usually much stronger and good at feeding.

At noon, we had three Bottlenose dolphins and a large group of the Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis), which showed themselves in the best way, which means very interactive. What fun!

One person closely related to Bottlenose dolphins is Ric O‘Barry. In the 1960s, he trained five Bottlenose dolphins, who starred in the movie Flipper. However, when Kathy, the Bottlenose dolphin most featured in the film, died in his arms, something happened that changed his life. He understood that captivity is something that harms animals. In 1970, he started his “Dolphin Project”. He campaigned passionately against a multi-billion-dollar dolphin captivity industry of and for the freedom of Bottlenose dolphins. He also works with all his energy against crime against nature, the slaughter of marine mammals in the Bay of Taiji / Japan. Furthermore, he has dedicated his life to protecting marine mammals. Such people have my admiration and highest respect. He’s a real hero to me.

If you would like to find out more about Ric O‘Barry and his work and the possibilities to support him, you will find information here: https://www.dolphinproject.com/

By Fatima Kutzschbach

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins

15:00 No sightings

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins

14:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins