PHOTOS: Dolphin in Croatian waters entangled in rope

Dolphin in Croatian waters entangled in rope (Photo: Blue World Institute)

In recent days, the media has been abuzz with reports about a bottlenose dolphin, named Oliver, in Novigradsko More, which has a piece of rope tangled around its tail that it drags behind.

Novigradsko More is a deeply indented bay in the Zadar County.

Citizens have been reporting sightings of this dolphin since last autumn, prompting the Blue World Institute to monitor its condition.

In an effort to gather detailed information and potentially free the dolphin from the rope, researchers from the Blue World Institute were in Novigradsko More on Friday, 12th July 2024, with two boats and specialised equipment.

(Photo: Blue World Institute)

“After locating the entangled dolphin, we took numerous photographs and videos to identify it and assess its health.

We determined that it is a dolphin from our catalogue, marked L_2191s21, first spotted on 21st May 2021, alongside its mother L_2191 in the Velebit Channel.

(Photo: Blue World Institute)

Based on this data, we estimate the dolphin is 5 to 6 years old. The dolphin has a rope, over a metre long, tangled around the base of its tail fin. We believe this is a remnant of a fishing net, which broke off and left the rope entangled around its tail,” Blue World Institute said.

(Photo: Blue World Institute)

Monitoring at sea and analysing the recorded material revealed tissue hypertrophy around the entanglement site, caused by the rope cutting into the tissue and ongoing irritation of the injury.

Algae and marine invertebrates on the rope indicate that the dolphin has been entangled for some time. Although the dolphin can currently swim, dive, and feed, the remaining rope poses a significant problem, hindering the healing of the wound and affecting its swimming.

(Photo: Blue World Institute)

For several hours, Blue World Institute attempted to approach the dolphin to remove the rope, but unfortunately, it did not allow them to get close enough, either by boat or from the water.

“Given that the dolphin is in good physical condition and can move and hunt despite the rope and tail fin injury, we decided to abandon the unsuccessful rescue attempts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the researchers and the dolphin. Continuous monitoring is necessary to ensure prompt action if the dolphin’s condition changes.

We highlight that Blue World Institute researchers have undergone training for rescuing dolphins and whales entangled in fishing gear under the LIFE Delfi project and possess specialised equipment acquired through the LIFE Delfi and the Enhancement and Expansion of the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre Capacity on Lošinj projects.”

Generally, dolphins in such conditions are exposed to increased stress, infection risks, and collisions with boats. They have difficulty swimming and diving, and reduced feeding opportunities, leading to starvation.

(Photo: Blue World Institute)

In such states, dolphins often move to more protected, shallower areas, becoming isolated as they cannot follow other dolphins or engage in normal social interactions. This isolation increases their vulnerability to human disturbance and harassment.

Survival depends on the animal’s prior physical condition, age, ability to free itself or receive help, and the duration of entanglement. Successful disentanglement does not guarantee survival, necessitating continued monitoring post-rescue.

The Blue World Institute will continue to monitor the bottlenose dolphin in Novigradsko More.

To ensure the best chances for its survival, we urge you not to approach, dive with, touch, or feed the dolphin.

(Photo: Blue World Institute)

As dolphins are strictly protected, do not attempt to free it from the rope without consulting trained professionals.

Please send information and any photographs or videos of this dolphin or other sightings of dolphins, whales, or Mediterranean monk seals to [email protected], report them to the Blue World Institute at 051 604 666, or via the free Marine Ranger mobile app for Android and iOS at www.marine-ranger.org.

The app also provides information on all Mediterranean marine species and emergency contact details for the nearest relevant authorities.