Understanding solitary dolphins
Fran Hockley looks at the phenomenon of lone dolphins , and legacy of a particularly friendly bottlenose , Danny , who made his home along the South Coast
Dolphins are a common sight for divers around the UK coast . Divers are often joined on their transit to offshore dive sites by pods of playful common dolphins riding the bow wake ; or bottlenose dolphins passing by in their family pods ; or Risso dolphins with their tall dorsal fins protruding high above the waves .
But dolphins aren ’ t always found in large pods . Like humans , many prefer the solitary lifestyle , choosing – or sometimes being forced – to break away from their family group . The reason for this is not fully understood ( or indeed if it is a choice to live alone ), but it may be due to food availability , predator disturbance , reproductive strategies , or due to the loss of a mate or companion .
The UK has the largest number of solitary bottlenose dolphins , compared to other countries . One dolphin , which came to be known as ‘ Danny ,’ appeared in the waters around Portland , Dorset in summer 2018 . Residing around the marina area over the winter months , in 2019 Danny moved between Weymouth , Swanage and Poole harbours , often following boats and interacting with divers . Investigations by the charity Marine Connection confirmed that Danny was the same dolphin seen
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