Spirit in Motion: A Flukeless Bottlenose Dolphin Survives for Over Two Years in the Western Mediterranean.

  • Published In: Aquatic Mammals, 2026, v. 52, n. 1. P. 47 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Gozalbes Aparicio, Patricia; Míguez-Lozano, Raúl; Raga, Juan Antonio; Crespo Picazo, Jose Luis; Muñoz, Francisco; Saubidet, Mariana; González, Emma Plá; Aznar, Francisco Javier 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the survival of a flukeless common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) observed in the Western Mediterranean for over two years. Initially sighted on October 12, 2021, off the coast of Valencia, Spain, the dolphin exhibited abnormal swimming behavior due to the loss of its flukes and a deformed pectoral fin. Despite these disabilities, the dolphin was resighted on August 12, 2023, and was found stranded on April 26, 2024, with evidence suggesting that it had adapted its swimming technique and possibly relied on discarded prey for sustenance. The findings highlight the potential impacts of fishing activities on dolphin populations and the importance of considering their dependence on fishery discards in conservation efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Aquatic Mammals. 2026/01, Vol. 52, Issue 1, p47
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Geography and Cartography
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0167-5427
  • DOI:10.1578/AM.52.1.2026.47
  • Accession Number:190982256
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