(haipo) A marine survey conducted by the Delphis Association off the coast of Ashkelon yielded a surprising encounter with two rare common dolphins, known to researchers as Tony and Pepper. The two have been seen together many times, and the researchers hope that Pepper is a female and that in the future they will have calves born on the shores of Israel. Two pods of common dolphins, including mothers and calves, were also observed during the survey.
A rare encounter during a routine marine survey
During a marine survey conducted by the Delphis Association off the coast of Ashkelon, two pods of common dolphins were observed, including mothers and calves known to the association's researchers. However, the real surprise came when two rare common dolphins briefly appeared. These are two individuals that have been observed together many times in the past. One of them, named Tony, has been known to researchers since 2020, after surviving a serious injury. The Delphis Association's research makes it possible to identify and track the dolphins over the years using unique markings.
Pepper – a new name and hope for the continuation of the species
Tony's friend recently won the title as well. פפר, inspired by the famous duo from the "Iron Man" movies. The name was given to the dolphin that was repeatedly seen alongside Tony, and researchers at the Delphis association express hope that Pepper will turn out to be a female. If this is indeed the case, it is possible that the pair will give birth to pups off the coast of Israel in the future, a scenario that would be heartwarming news for the rare common dolphin population in the area. The association's long-term research is what allows for the precise identification of the individuals and the tracking of the social connections between them.
