Solitary dolphins

The history of ‘friendly’ dolphins and whales is often a sad one.  Although a complex issue, these individuals are highly vulnerable and end up wounded and sometimes even dead as a result of their interactions with people.

These animals, also known as ‘solitary sociables’, typically frequent a particular stretch of coastline and, over time, become habituated to the presence of people and vessels in the water with them. They often increasingly seek contact with people, seemingly to replace the social contact that they miss with their own kind. 

Not surprisingly, people flock in large numbers to see them and sometimes attempt to swim or play with these dolphins. Many vessels may also visit them.

Studies have shown that as the animals lose their natural caution around people and boats they become increasingly at risk from accidental harm, including boat strikes and directed harm, such as vandalism or harassment.

There is also risk to the people seeking to interact with them.  Solitary sociable dolphins, for example, may eventually come to display aggressive or dominant behaviors during their interaction with people in the water. Many people have found themselves either in trouble in the water (for example, out of their depth), or have received injuries from the dolphin (either accidental, or, possibly purposeful perhaps because the animal feels threatened).

WDCS works to raise awareness of the issues associated with solitary dolphins and, alongside other experts (for example in the UK via the Marine Animal Rescue Coalition) helps to develop management regimes for their protection.

What is a ‘solitary’ or ‘friendly’ dolphin? For reasons unknown, some dolphins can be found living on their own.  One thing is certain however, the more human contact they receive the more vulnerable they become to injury and even death. Find out more about the habituation stages of friendly dolphins. Dave Dave was a young female bottlenose dolphin who first appeared off the Kent coast in April 2006.  She became habituated to human company over the series of 20 months, received many injuries and then disappeared in November 2007. Expert veterinary statement An expert dolphin vet gives his opinion on interacting with wild dolphins. WDCS Policy On Swimming With Dolphins The behaviour of Solitary Sociable dolphins typically differs significantly from other wild dolphins although WDCS believes that care should be taken in interactions with all dolphins. You can find out more about the problems associated with swimming with wild whales or dolphins, plus ways to watch them responsibly, by going to our ‘I want to see whales and dolphins’ section. Captivity WDCS is concerned that captive dolphin facilities and captive swim-with programs are changing the perception of what dolphins are; how they naturally behave; and how they should be treated in the wild. Find out more about the effects of capture, trade and confinement on captive dolphins and whales by visiting our Anti-captivity pages.