Adopt a Bottlenose Dolphin – Support Marine Conservation

Since 2014, BDRI researchers have identified and monitored over 400 individual bottlenose dolphins in Galician waters. Now, you can symbolically adopt one of these incredible animals, open a window into their ocean world, and discover their lives and personalities.

Looking for a more personal connection? You can even name your adopted dolphin—or dedicate it to a loved one.

 

Why Adopt?

Bottlenose dolphins often inhabit coastal areas, making them especially vulnerable to human activities such as fishing and marine traffic. They are listed under the European Habitats Directive as a species in need of protection and research. Your adoption supports the scientific study of their behavior and ecology, contributing to the development of effective conservation strategies.

Your symbolic adoption helps fund our ongoing research and educational efforts to protect dolphins and preserve marine biodiversity. It’s a meaningful and unique gift—for yourself or someone you care about—that makes a real difference for ocean life.

 

Donation Options

Support marine conservation by choosing an adoption level that works for you:

• Basic Adoption – €50
  Symbolically adopt a dolphin for one year. You’ll receive a personalized digital certificate, a dolphin biography, and help support vital research and conservation initiatives.

• Naming Adoption – €200
  Choose a name for your dolphin and have it permanently recorded in our scientific database. Includes a digital certificate and dolphin biography.

• Exclusive Lifetime Adoption – €600
  Make a lasting impact by adopting and naming a dolphin for life. Your dolphin’s name will be permanently stored in our records. You'll receive a special digital certificate, a detailed dolphin biography, and exclusive recognition as a Lifetime Guardian.

   

• Make a Difference

  Your symbolic adoption directly supports our research and outreach projects. Join us in protecting dolphins and their marine environment—one adoption at a time.

 

What’s Included in Your Electronic Adoption Kit?

You’ll receive your Electronic Adoption Kit by email—an eco-friendly and convenient way to connect with your adopted dolphin. The kit includes:

• - Welcome email

• - Personalized digital adoption certificate
• - Biography of your adopted dolphin, including recent photos

• - Dolphin vocalizations from Galician waters (audio file, great as a ringtone!)

• - Information booklet with a species fact sheet and details about the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI)

 

How to Adopt a Dolphin

Ready to make a difference? Adopting a dolphin is simple! Just choose one of the special dolphins listed below and email us at info@thebdri.com with the following details:

- The name of the dolphin you'd like to adopt

• - Your chosen adoption level: Basic, Naming, or Lifetime

• - The adoption date (to appear on the certificate)
• - The name of the adopter (for the certificate)

• - If choosing Naming or Lifetime, the name you'd like to give your dolphin

 

What Happens Next?

Your Electronic Adoption Kit will be personally created by BDRI biologists, ensuring that 100% of your donation directly supports our research and conservation work where it’s most needed.

Please allow up to 5 working days to receive your digital kit after we’ve received your donation.

Important: If you don’t hear back from us within 5 working days, please check your spam or junk folder—our emails sometimes end up there.

 

 

CHOOSE "YOUR" DOLPHIN

Choose from more than 50 wild common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) studied by the BDRI with their own unique characteristics, life histories and personality traits. The dolphins available for adoption are recognized individually by the natural markings on their dorsal fin and have been identified by BDRI researchers, as part of our long term bottlenose dolphin research program in Galician waters (NW Spain).

 

1. 	NAME: Turquesa (named by Laura) ID-Code: O9 Sex: Female O9 is young female that has raised 3 calves since 2014! She is occasional seen in the Ria de Arousa, as she also spend time around Vigo. It is common for dolphins to be sighted in different Rias in Galicia, and she may be teaching her calves to be independent, by taking them to explore different waters.
   	NAME: Tursio (name given by Atlantic Baroque Orchestra) ID-Code: A2 Sex: Male Tursio is one of the first dolphins we identified here in O Grove in 2014. He is an adult male bottlenose dolphin easily identifiable by the large nick in the middle of his dorsal fin. Tursio loves to jump out of the water and play with his friends between the mussel rafts present in the Ría de Arousa.
   	NAME: Luna (named by Luciana) ID-Code: B2 Sex: Female Luna is a young female and also a sweet and caring mother. Since 2014 she has had two calves. Luna likes to catch her dinner around the mussel farming rafts in O Grove. When she dives down and you see her tail it means she took a very big breath and is going to chase the fish that like to feed around the mussels.
   	NAME: Piipa (named by Solal) ID-Code: O6 Sex: Female O6 is a young female that is always taking care of her calves. Apart from O6 teaching her calves how to catch different prey, O6 is mostly occupied with her calf showing it the importance of socialising with other dolphins of a similar age. She is always incredibly busy teaching her calf different behaviours!
   	NAME: Ghost (named by Martina) ID-Code: A4 Sex: Male Ghost is a lively young male resident bottlenose dolphin in the Ría de Arousa, we often see him showing off his aerial skills near Arousa Island. Since we don’t get in the water with the dolphins, one of the easier ways of identifying the sex of an individual is to snap a picture of their underside during one of their incredible leaps out of the water.
   	NAME: Dulce (named by Leila) ID-Code: B7 Sex: Female Dulce is a young female and also a sweet and caring "babysitter". Dulce is often seen in groups of females and their calves and she is sometimes known to take care of other females´calves. Dulce is easily recognizable by the shape of her dorsal fin.
   	NAME: Maximus (named by Adrián) ID-Code: X1 Sex: Male X1 is a young and playful male first observed in 2015. He is always up to his usual craziness of flying through the air, and this time we have a great pictures to show you just how high he can jump! It’s always a great pleasure to see him.
   	NAME: Sophie (named by Martine) ID-Code: A5 Sex: Female A5 is a female first sighted in the Ria de Arousa in 2014. She has raised 2 calves since then, and she is currently nursing a third one since 2020! A5 loves to spend time in the inner part of the ria searching for her favorite prey. She is very often observed in the company of her best friends, who are also females caring for their calves.
   	NAME: Oliver (named by George) ID-Code: B3 Sex: Male Oliver is a curious and playful male who often comes closer to our small research boat during our surveys. Dolphins are very curious animals and will often play with pieces of kelp in the water and sometimes, unfortunately, even plastic debris they find floating.
   	NAME: Rosita (named by Lola) ID-Code: D8 Sex: Female Rosita is an adult female bottlenose dolphin and she is a mother of a calf who still swims close to her to learn all the tricks of how to being a wild bottlenose dolphin. In the picture you can see Rosita and her calf with the head out of water. Rosita calf has been nursing about 18 months and now is learning how to catch fish. Calves in Galician waters usually stay with their mothers for 2 - 3 years.
   	NAME: Wakabayashi Abdelmalek (named by Flore) ID-Code: B5 Sex: Male B5 is easily recognizable by the various nicks and scars on his dorsal fin. He earned his nicks and scratches by playing and interacting with other bottlenose dolphins. He is often found in the waters near Ribeira at the entrance of the Ría de Arousa feeding with other dolphins.
   	NAME: Sophie (named by Sophie Dryburgh-Larouche) ID-Code: K1 Sex: Female Sophie is regularly seen in the northern part of the Ría de Arousa, keeping herself busy with the company of other female friends and their calves. She has had 3 calves since 2014, that love spending time with other dolphins of their age!
   	NAME: Cupid (named by Mike) ID-Code: A9 Sex: Male A9 being one of the oldest males in the Ria, is sometimes seen with his friends but most of the time by himself. We all need time to recharge by ourselves and it's okay to be alone from time to time for some peace and quiet. He loves hunting in the inner part of the study area, even going up in rivers to catch some lampreys!
   	NAME: Patius (named by Zoraida) ID-Code: B6 Sex: Female Patius is usually very sociable in a group with lots of other bottlenose dolphins (males and females). She is the most inquisitive dolphin of the group who approaches the research boat first. She is easily recognizable by the bottom and top nicks on her dorsal fin.
   	NAME: Phildelphia (named by Sophia) ID-Code: B9 Sex: Male Phildelphia is a very playful young male which we often spot jumping near Cambados. Why do you think he jumps so high? Leaps and bows are often a sign that dolphins are socializing or feeding, but some other theories include communication (through the noise of the splashes), to parasite removal.
   	NAME: Raven Queen (named by Andrea) ID-Code: X4 Sex: Female X4 has been sighted for the first time by our research team in 2016. Since then, she has been seen about 50 times in the Ria alongside several of her calves! She is a caring mother and pursues to be her social self, by always being surrounded by friends.
   	NAME: Zarandonga (named by Sara) ID-Code: O8 Sex: Female Zarandonga is a gregarious and playful young female, mother of a calf, often seen with other bottlenose dolphins (males and females). She is a great hunter and is often seen catching fish close to A Toxa Island. She is easily recognizable by the various nicks on his dorsal fin.
   	NAME: Colón (named by Ágata) ID-Code: I3 Sex: Male Colón is a young male who can often be spotted from the harbour wall at O Grove, feeding close to the shoreline. He is recognisable by a large nick on the top of his dorsal fin along with a thin white marking its edge.
   	NAME: Katie (named by Jim and Melanie) ID-Code: J9 Sex: Female J9 is a regular visitor of the Ría de Arousa and mother of a calf. They have been a frequent sight in the southern coast of the ría close to Mexilloeira beach in O Grove. She is very sociable often being seen in groups with females and calves.
   	NAME: Aoao (named by Haowen) ID-Code: E6 Sex: Female E6 is an experienced female often found alone with her calf. She loves showing her flukes when diving! When E6 shows us her flukes, we can also identify her by some skin marks which can be seen just before the tail (peduncle).
   	NAME: Tomeu (named by Kym & George) ID-Code: C2 Sex: Male Tomeu is one of the oldest and more social male dolphins in the Ría de Arousa. He likes to socialize with other dolphins in big groups, where he shows his aerial skills. Tomeu is a very social animal and as a result his dorsal fin has suffered drastic changes over the past few years.
   	NAME: Aurora (named by George) ID-Code: I2 Sex: Female Aurora is a young female that usually is present in groups with other females and calves, where she finds other females willing to babysit and where her calves will find young friends to play with. She regularly visits the quiet waters around Illa de Arousa and Mexilloeira shorelines.
   	NAME: Ocean Sky (named by Suzy) ID-Code: E1 Sex: Male E1 is a very social male dolphin that loves to spend time feeding with other males in the southern shores of the Ría de Arousa, close to Cambados and O Grove. In these areas, he will be able to find his favourite prey items, including grey mullets and several flatfish species. E1 is also regularly seen socialising with other dolphins in these areas.
   	NAME: Leyre (named by Fernando y Leyre) ID-Code: J1 Sex: Female Leyre is one of the most loved young females that regularly visit the Ría de Arousa. She is a caring mother that has raised two calves since 2014. The oldest one, has become an independent young female that likes to play and socialise with other young bottlenose dolphins.
   	NAME: Leonard (named by Roger & Alejandra) ID-Code: E3 Sex: Male Leonard is a young male dolphin that regularly visits the Ría de Arousa. He loves to spend his time with his friends between the mussel rafts, where they can find their preferred prey. Social interactions are important for young individuals and that is one of the reasons why E3 can be seen in big groups, where he can show his aerial skills and social behaviour.
   	NAME: Fabada (Carmen Jose) ID-Code: R8 Sex: Female R8 is a social female teaching her own calves some important socializing and feeding skills. R8 is displaying a tail-slap, which can be used to startle fish. Mothers like R8 show these behaviours so that their calf can learn from them. It is important for calves to learn how to interact with other dolphins as they may need their friends help to look for fish!
   	NAME: Mármara (named by Laura M.) ID-Code: J2 Sex: Female Mármara is a young and sociable female that is often seen in groups with other females and calves. She is a very inquisitive and curious dolphin and uses her time to help older females by taking care of their calves.
   	NAME: Tacotu (named by Kym) ID-Code: G3 Sex: Male Tacotu loves to spend time socialising and feeding in big groups where he can compete and play with other males. Tacotu can be usually seen showing his hunting skills in the shallow waters around Illa de Arousa and in front of Cambados harbour, where he finds he feeds on grey mullets and flatfish.
   	NAME: Shangboulés (named by the French High School of Shangai) ID-Code: M8 Sex: Female M8 loves to spend time with her calve in big groups with other females and calves. She can be regularly seen in quiet areas of the Ría de Arousa, such as the waters surrounding the Illa da Toxa, the waters along the northern shore of the O Grove peninsula or the southern shores of Illa de Arousa.
   	NAME: Marco Star (named by Kelley) ID-Code: H2 Sex: Male Marco Star is one of the oldest resident males of the Ría de Arousa. He is a very social and inquisitive dolphin that likes to know what other individuals are visiting the area. At the same time, he likes to socialise with other dolphins and he loves to regularly join new groups and spend some time with the different individuals that visit the Ría de Arousa.
   	NAME: Candy (named by Daniel W.) ID-Code: O4 Sex: Female Candy is an active young female. Although she has not had any calves of her own, she is often seen swimming with other female’s calves. She is a very inquisitive dolphin and she loves to spend some time in groups with other females and calves, where she can practice her babysitting skills and develop her parenting techniques.
   	NAME: Shoyo Hinata (named by Zane) ID-Code: E5 Sex: Male E5 is a adult male, resident of the ria de Arousa. He is often seen enjoying the company of others, even being a part of groups of more than 20 individuals. He loves hunting for prey in very shallow waters, close to rocky shores!
   	NAME: Sophie (named by Sophie M.) ID-Code: G5 Sex: Female G5 is an active and playful young female. She is mother of a calf born in summer 2019. She is often seen in small groups of young females with their calves and few males in the Ria de Arousa and surrounding waters. She is a very social dolphin and she loves to spend time foraging and socializing in these coastal waters.
   	NAME: no name assigned (you can give a name) ID-Code: G8 Sex: Female G8 is an old female that comes from time to time to the Ría de Arousa. She displays some discoloration on her skin (which you can see in one of the pictures) that might be due to a lack of pigmentation! She has been seen with 3 calves since 2014!
   	NAME: Nina (named by Kym) ID-Code: S9 Sex: Female Nina is one of the most loved young females that regularly visit the Ría de Arousa. She is a caring mother that has raised three calves since 2014. The oldest one, has become an independent young female that likes to play and socialise with other young bottlenose dolphins. Nina is often seen in mixed groups of males and females in the Ria de Arousa and surrounding waters.
   	NAME: Eolya (named by Céline) ID-Code: A7 Sex: Female A7 is a loving mother resident of the waters of the Ría de Arousa. She is currently nursing a calf born in 2019, but also had 2 other calves between 2014 and 2018. She is often found in shallow waters searching for fish and even enters harbours on some occasions. We regularly see her with other females nursing their calves.
   	NAME: no name assigned (you can give a name) ID-Code: A8 Sex: Female A8 is a young female that cared for her first calf in 2014. Since then, this calf is now independent with his own group of friends. A8 has had several other calves, for which she cared 2 years for each of them. She is often found in the Ría de Arousa but also in the Ría de Pontevedra.
   	NAME: Speedo (named by Mélanie) ID-Code: I9 Sex: Male I9 is a young male regularly sighted interacting with other individuals of a similar age and showing off his best moves. We managed to get him right in action! He is usually very busy catching up with his best friends on different days. I9 continues being adventurous, but always has his best pals by his side, which means double the fun.
   	NAME: Shannon (named by Shannon and Vesa) ID-Code: I5 Sex: Female I5 is a social female that loves spending time with groups of males. She had a calf in 2014 that is now independent and she is now nursing a second calf born in 2019. She spends a lot of time along the shore of the Ría de Arousa in search of prey.
   	NAME: Eunice (named by Lauren) ID-Code: J3 Sex: Female J3 is a young and social female that loves to be surrounded by other dolphins of her age. She has been seen at least 80 times since 2014 so far and continues to be just as social and has even gained more scars from interacting with other individuals!
   	NAME: Elizabeth Goodwin ID-Code: H9 Sex: Female H9 is a loving mother that gave birth to a male calf in 2014. Calves usually spend about 2 years with their mothers in Galicia, but he has been alongside his mother for 7 years! She is teaching her calf to be independent, by taking him to explore different waters!
   	NAME: Marlau ID-Code: C4 Sex: Male C4 is a curious resident male from the Ria de Arousa. We often see C4 in large groups feeding on his favorite prey. C4 also likes to go up the biggest river in the area, the Ulla river! C4 is a mature male often taking care of females with their calves.
   	NAME: Flipper ID-Code: Z5 Sex: Male Z5 is a strong resident male bottlenose dolphin from the Ria de Arousa. Z5 spends most of the time with his best friend, Z8, feeding or hanging out with females. He also loves playing around, and leaping as fast as possible out of the water!
   	NAME: Liam ID-Code: Z4 Sex: Male Z4 is an adult male bottlenose dolphin that loves leaping out of the water! We can often see Z4 practicing high leaps and competing with other males! Z4 spends most of his time in the south of Galicia. He is not afraid to travel alone!
   	NAME: Michael ID-Code: E4 Sex: Male E4 is a very recognizable bottlenose dolphin due to the multiple nicks on his dorsal fin. Each nick has a story and this adult male loves good adventures with adrenaline. Nicks usually appear when another dolphin bites the dorsal fin, and E4 really loves to play with other males.
   	NAME: Roger ID-Code: Z8 Sex: Male Z8 is a very famous male from our study area, first sighted in 2017. Z8 loves to hang out with his best friend, Z5, feeding or socializing with other bottlenose dolphins. He is not afraid to come close to our research vessel to be photographed! It’s always a pleasure to see him around in the Ria de Arousa.
   	NAME: Paula (named by Leila) ID-Code: K2 Sex: Female K2 is a calm and experienced female bottlenose dolphin, first observed in 2014. Unlike some resident dolphins, she visits the Ría de Arousa from time to time, making her appearances special. Known for her maternal nature, K2 regularly gives birth to calves every 3 to 4 years, playing a vital role in the local dolphin population.
   	NAME: Juliana (name given by Kym) ID-Code: S9C1 Sex: Female S9C1 is a spirited and energetic female bottlenose dolphin, born in 2014 as the daughter of S9 (Nina). She became a mother herself at just six years old in 2020, marking the arrival of a new generation. Now, we often see three generations together, as S9 and S9C1 frequently swim side by side with her calf. This strong family bond highlights the importance of social connections in dolphin communities.
   	NAME: Gavia (named by Javier) ID-Code: R9 Sex: Female R9 is a female bottlenose dolphin that remains somewhat elusive. Unlike some of the more frequently observed individuals, she is not well known, as she is often seen traveling in large groups. Her preference for socializing in bigger pods makes each sighting of R9 a unique opportunity to learn more about her movements and interactions.
   	NAME: Broncano ID-Code: D8C1 Sex: Male D8C1 is a vibrant young male bottlenose dolphin, born in 2015 and the son of D8. Full of energy and curiosity, he enjoys spending time in the Ría de Arousa, often seen socializing and playing with other dolphins of his age. As he grows, he continues to explore these coastal waters, strengthening his bonds within the local dolphin community.
   	NAME: Baby Puffo ID-Code: B2C3 Sex: Male B2C3, named Baby Puffo, is the third known calf of B2 (Luna) and was born in the summer of 2022. While his mother is very calm and likes to swim with other females, he is a very playful young male calf. He often swims away from his mother and loves to show off his jumps with his best friend R3C1, another male calf one year older than him.
   	NAME: no name assigned (you can give a name) ID-Code: B8 Sex: Male B8 is an adult male bottlenose dolphin, already fully grown when first observed in 2014. Known for his high energy and dominant, often aggressive behavior, he plays a leading role in the social dynamics of the Ría de Arousa dolphin community.
   	NAME: no name assigned (you can give a name) ID-Code: D1 Sex: Female D1 is a calm and gentle adult female, resident in the Ría de Arousa. First observed in 2014, she has successfully raised several calves over the years. With her peaceful nature and maternal behavior, D1 is one of the most endearing and well-known dolphins in the area.
   	NAME: no name assigned (you can give a name) ID-Code: H9C1 Sex: Male Born in 2014 to female H9, H9C1 holds the record for the longest mother-calf bond observed in Galicia, staying with his mother until 2022 – far beyond the usual 2–3 years. Now independent, he still enjoys spending time with her and is often seen playing energetically in his favorite coastal areas.
   	NAME: no name assigned (you can give a name) ID-Code: S9C2 Sex: Male Born in 2016, S9C2 is the second known calf of the well-known female S9 (Nina). Raised by his mother and closely cared for by his older sister S9C1 (Juliana), he benefited from strong family bonds. Now independent, he’s often seen socializing with other juveniles and exploring the Ría de Arousa.

    

   Adoptions can be made by bank transfer in Euros (€) with additional bank expenses included to:
   Bank name: BANCO SANTANDER
   Bank address: Rua Castelao 23 - 36980 - Grove (O) - Pontevedra, SPAIN
   Account holder: BDRI
   BIC (BANK INDENTIFICATION CODE): BSCHESMMXXX
   IBAN: ES30 0049 7826 4225 1000 1303

    

   Please indicate a "Donation dolphin" as a payment reference when initiating a bank transfer (the payment reference is a message to the beneficiary, here the BDRI, about your donation).

   YOUR ADOPTION REALLY HELPS

2. All funds we receive through our Adopt a Dolphin program go solely towards marine research and conservation programs.
3. Our scientific data are used by scientists to help manage marine ecosystems and to ensure Galician waters (NW Spain) remain a safe place for dolphins and whales for many years to come.
4. By adopting a dolphin you are making a choice to become a guardian for marine biodiversity and  will get to know and follow an individual dolphin.

 

Make your adoption now and stay tuned to see what we discover about marine megafauna, marine environment, and climate change thanks to your help. Marine research at sea is very expensive and maintainance and fuel for the research vessels are among the main costs of our activities.

 

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One of the aims of the BDRI is to train future marine mammal scientists by offering a wide range of programs and opportunities for students at all stages of their career. In addition to the marine research activities, we have rigorous educational programs providing work experience opportunities: internship positions, volunteering, training courses, and university project placements for bachelor and master students throughout the year.

 

Our educational programs aim to prepare students for a professional career in marine mammals and marine birds research, and conservation of the marine environment. So, if you want to be a part of this unique experience and are a person who is interested in going abroad and obtaining hands-on experience in scientific research, boat-based field work, intensive training while having fun and meeting people from all over the world, then these are the programs for you.

 



 

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The BDRI is dedicated to the understanding and conservation of marine megafauna and the environment in which they live. The BDRI is located in O Grove, on the shores of Ría de Arousa, Galicia (NW Spain). Alongside our marine research initiatives, we offer comprehensive educational programs providing internship positions, volunteering opportunities, training courses, and university project placements for bachelor's and master's students throughout the year. Our educational and research endeavors significantly contribute to understanding marine biodiversity threats and devising appropriate conservation measures.

 

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DISCOVER OUR RESEARCH- BDRI scientistsdelve into divers inquiries to decipher the relationship between human activities and the marine environment.

 

DISCOVER WHERE WE WORK- O Grove in Galicia (NW Spain) not only offers an exceptional environment for marine life studies but also a wonderful living experience.

 

DISCOVER OUR RESULTS- We disseminate our findings at international conferences and through scientific publications.

 

CONTACT US

 

© Copyright 2024 Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute

Reproduction of photographs, artwork, or other contents is prohibited without written permission.

Address: Av. Beiramar 192, O Grove, 36980 (Galicia, Spain)

Tel: +34 684 248552

General inquiries: info@thebdri.com

Media inquiries: bruno@thebdri.com