Rare 'Skunk Dolphin' Fearlessly Approaches Tourist

A tourist recently encountered a rare pod of Commerson's dolphins, famously nicknamed 'skunk' or 'panda' dolphins, off the coast of Saunders Island in the Falkland Islands. The dolphins displayed unusual fearlessness, approaching the expedition group closely and engaging with them for approximately 30 minutes. This sighting is particularly notable as Commerson's dolphins are notoriously reclusive and primarily inhabit the cold, infrequently visited waters of the Falkland and Patagonian coasts.

These energetic marine mammals, distinguished by their striking black-and-white markings, range from about 4'8" to 5'11" in length. Despite their elusive nature, they are known to be friendly and often approach boats, swimming alongside and following their wakes. They exhibit playful behaviors such as leaping from the water and surfing near the shore. Commerson's dolphins are also social creatures, frequently seen interacting with other marine species like Peale's dolphins and porpoises.