29.08.2026 – Where do you go little dolphin?

Today’s trips were highlighted by pods of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). We were delighted to see some small pilot whales calves swimming next to their mom ! Recently, in some of our trips, we have seen a tagged pilot whales. Different tools are used to study cetaceans and tags are one. Scientists can deploy tags on adults individuals to study their movement, distribution. Depending on the type of tags, researchers can also learn more about foraging behavior, depth reached, communication. In Madeira, thanks to satellite tracking combined with photo-identification, pilot whales are showing a connectivity with Canary Islands. Identifying these blue corridors is important as it would help to implement conservation measures. 

by Juliette Colançon

Sightings of the day 

Ribeira Brava

09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins 

13:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins

Steno 

09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Short-finned pilot whales

16:30 Short-finned pilot whales