WHY BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS?

BDRI concentrates its efforts on the study of these marine mammals because they are predators at the top of their food chain, so their well-being provides an excellent indication of the health of the entire marine ecosystem on which they, and we, depend.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are appropriate and useful study animals in this case because of their world-wide distribution, the information gained in our research can be applied to the management of coastal areas.

One very important tool that helps our studies of these cetaceans, is that many bottlenose dolphins have nicks and scars in the thin, trailing edge of their dorsal fin. Individual dolphins can be distinguished from one another by photographing their dorsal fins, which are as individual to the trained eye as faces are to humans. Some dolphins have obvious lesions and other characteristic markings on their dorsal fins and bodies that may also further aid in photo-identification. Repeated sightings of known individuals provide us with much information about the dolphins such as site and behavioural preferences and group composition, for example.

Large, charismatic mammals, from elephants and pandas to whales and dolphins, also command tremendous public interest and are consequently an excellent way of generating public awareness of, and concern about, wider environmental issues. Whales and dolphins around the world are under threat. Marine pollution, over-fishing, entangling in nets, whaling and uncontrolled tourism are just some of the dangers.

By increasing our knowledge about bottlenose dolphins and their environment, BDRI will be in a strong position to protect the animals from these and other threats caused by humans.