Tourists visiting the Romanian coast were in for a surprise when they witnessed an extraordinary sight emerging from the sea waves. A wounded dolphin was brought to the shore, leaving everyone in awe.
Efforts were made to rescue the dolphin, but sadly, it did not survive. Experts identified it as a member of the Delphinus Delphis species, commonly known as the common dolphin.
The wounds found on the dolphin’s body were likely caused by fishermen’s nets. In the Black Sea, three different species of marine mammals can be found: the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus), and the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta).
Each of these species has distinct physical characteristics and dietary preferences. The bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoise primarily feed on fish and benthic organisms, while the common dolphin’s diet consists of fish and organisms found in the water column.
These dolphins also occupy different habitats based on their species. The bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoise are commonly found in coastal areas, while the common dolphin prefers offshore zones.
The common dolphin has a bluish-gray to brown color on its dorsal side, with a unique V-shaped light-colored lateral boundary. A pigmented band connects the lower jaw to the pectoral fins, varying in darkness. Their dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins are black to gray-brown.
In the Black Sea, the size of common dolphins does not usually exceed 2 meters, with males measuring around 177 cm and females around 159 cm. These dolphins are highly sensitive to chemical and acoustic pollution. They can be seen swimming in groups of 10-15 individuals, as well as in pairs or alone. With impressive speed, they can reach up to 50 km/h and perform short-duration dives. They frequently come up to the surface to breathe, with intervals of 1/3 seconds. They can inhabit depths of up to 70 meters.
Common dolphins reach sexual maturity at the age of 2, and their gestation period lasts for 10 months, with weaning occurring at 4 months. They exhibit highly developed maternal instincts. The estimated lifespan of common dolphins is 25-30 years. Their main diet comprises small pelagic fish such as sprat, anchovy, and gobies, alongside crustaceans. Occasionally, their stomachs contain horse mackerel, cod, bluefish, red mullet, sea bass, shrimp, and mollusks. On average, they consume around 10 kg of food per day.
The discovery of this wounded dolphin reminds us of the importance of protecting these remarkable marine creatures and their habitats. Let’s cherish the beauty of our oceans and work towards preserving the diversity of marine life for future generations.
