(Live) – A marine survey turned one moment into an unforgettable one – a rare photograph documented three generations of dolphins swimming together, for the first time since the research began in Israel
In a marine survey conducted this week (early June 2025) as part of the long-term research by the Maurice Kahn Marine Research Station of the University of Haifa, a dolphin familiar to researchers was observed, with what appears to be a female dolphin by her side, accompanied by a calf. This appears to be the first recording of its kind since the beginning of the research.
Kim Kobo, a researcher at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station of the Czerny School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa, examined the photos taken this week during the marine survey off the coast of Tel Aviv and was excited to see familiar dolphins. However, this time, unlike previous observations, she identified the dolphin Hawks in the same photo, alongside one that had been observed previously, apparently as her own pup, and another tiny pup with them. This intergenerational encounter has not been documented until now.
Kobo, who this time did not join the research cruise, and was led instead by Meital Markowitz (a volunteer from the Delphis Association), began her collaboration with the 'Sea Path' club in Herzliya about two years ago, as part of her degree studies at the University of Haifa, with the aim of undertaking as many marine surveys as possible to monitor local dolphin populations. "We recognize few pups after they have left their mother; the dolphin Hawks was observed with two pups in the past, in 2018 and 2021."
During an observation on Sunday (June 1.6.25, XNUMX), the three were seen, as well as another individual, all of the common dolphin species, off the coast of Tel Aviv.
Dr. Mia Elser from the Delphis Association:
"The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the more common and well-known of the two dolphin species that live along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Its population includes approximately 360 individuals, which have been documented by researchers since the early 90s. This species is not in danger of extinction."
The long-term study to monitor dolphin populations off the coast of Israel has been carried out for 25 years by researchers from the University of Haifa and the Delphis Association, led by Dr. Aviad Sheinin, director of the Delphis Dolphin and Sea Center and head of the superpredator division at the Maurice Kahn Marine Research Station at the University of Haifa. As part of a new project by the association in collaboration with researchers from the University of Haifa, many of the surveys are carried out in conjunction with Delphis volunteers who have undergone special training as marine surveyors.
Have you encountered a marine mammal? Keep your distance, keep curious people away, take pictures and report to Delphis at www.delphis.ngo/reporting or call the Nature and Parks Authority hotline at 3639*.