Spotting dolphins in the wild is a fascinating experience that attracts thousands of enthusiasts and onlookers each year. Although encounters do not always offer documentary-like spectacles, there are places where expectations are far exceeded.
One such place is the Pelagos Sanctuary, a marine protected area of about 90,000 km² in the northwestern Mediterranean, established through a collaboration between Italy, France and the Principality of Monaco. This stretch of sea is a permanent home to eight species of cetaceans, and is one of the most promising spots for whale watching and dolphin watching in Europe. In this stretch of the Ligurian Sea, it is not uncommon to witness real acrobatic shows: groups of dolphins swimming close to boats, elegantly leaping out of the water and performing spectacular pirouettes, providing moments of pure wonder to lucky observers.
Sanctuary acrobats: striped dolphins
Among the most easily observed species are the striped dolphins or stenella coeruleoalba, small dolphins with tapered bodies and lively behavior. They are recognizable by their distinctive black stripes that decorate their sides, giving them an even more slender and dynamic appearance.
In the Ligurian Sea, these dolphins often display particularly confident behavior, approaching boats to take advantage of the waves they produce and launching themselves into spectacular evolutions out of the water. The jumps and pirouettes, in addition to being a real spectacle for observers, also have important biological functions.
Jumping out of the water, known by the term breaching, can have several purposes, such as communicating within the group, eliminating possible parasites, gaining acceleration or simply playing. In males, they can also be a way to exhibit strength and vitality, thus attracting potential partners during the breeding season.
Puppies and maternal care
During the sighting season, it is not uncommon to see females accompanied by their young. The young, being mammals are suckled in the sea, through a special mechanism: the mothers spray a very thick, fat-rich milk directly into the baby’s mouth, which ensures rapid growth in the first months of life.
An ecosystem to protect
In the course of excursions it may also happen to come across other marine species, such as loggerhead turtles, which frequent the Ligurian Sea during the warmer months. Some animals can unfortunately become trapped in floating garbage, a growing problem that draws attention to the need to protect the marine ecosystem.
Excursions to the Pelagos Sanctuary are increasingly appreciated for their naturalistic and educational value. Observing dolphins in their natural environment, seeing them make jumps and interact with each other, is an exciting and often memorable experience that can inspire respect and care for the marine world.
For those who want to experience close contact with nature and better understand the dynamics of life in the sea, the Ligurian Sea, with its biological richness and the constant presence of cetaceans, is definitely a prime destination.
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