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Mysterious Dolphin Decline Puzzles Conservationists
9 Jun
Summary
- Conservationists are studying an unexplained drop in Risso's dolphin numbers.
- A £13,974 project will use drones to monitor dolphins in the Western Isles.
- Possible causes include strandings and hunting by prey species.
An 11-month project has been launched to understand the alarming decrease in Risso's dolphin numbers off the Western Isles. Marine mammal group Mara received £13,974 in funding to conduct this crucial research within the North-East Lewis Marine Protected Area.
Since 2019, Mara has observed a significant drop in dolphin sightings. Researchers are exploring potential causes, including strandings in shallow waters and the dolphins' own hunting behaviours for squid and octopus.
The project will employ drones to capture high-resolution images and document previously unobserved behaviours. Analysis of existing photo-identification data has already indicated this concerning trend, prompting the need for further investigation into the dolphins' declining population. This vital conservation effort seeks to protect this elusive species.
