Yoda the Lone Dolphin Spotted Far From Scottish Home

Sightings of solo or lone dolphins, especially those species not usually found in the area, give important insights on the animal. Many theories tried to explain this solitary behavior in dolphins which could be either a temporary or permanent feature. Indeed, experts are baffled how a species from a close-knit group would leave their family to live a solitary life.

Yoda, the Lone Dolphin

Yoda is the latest of the list of lone dolphins and was spotted in the Svendborg area. Danish conservationists nicknamed him Delle, but through the charity Marine Connection, they were able to identify the dolphin as a Moray Firth dolphin.

In 2019, there were also bottlenose dolphins found on the southwest coast of Ireland and the Netherlands coast. Scientists are still baffled by this mysterious behavior.

Marine connection charity has been monitoring solitary cetaceans for many years, and just last year they have already started working with Danish conservationists.

According to BBC, Yoda is 13 years old already whose mother Chewbacca, and siblings Skywalker and Kenobi were named after characters in the hit films of Star Wars.

The Marine Connection also reported that another lone female Moray Firth dolphin named Moonlight was spotted in the Irish Sea. They noted that dolphins in Scotland have been moving out of their normal range.

Explaining Solitary Dolphins

Dolphins and most cetaceans are known to be social animals. Meaning, they have a close-knit relationship with their family that wherever one goes, the whole flock also follows even when that means getting trapped like what happened to the whales in Australia last month.

But to see a lone dolphin of solitary cetaceans are less common than them traveling with others. According to Marine Connection, about 114 cetaceans wee already recorded worldwide with the most common are bottlenose dolphins, orcas, beluga whales, and other species of dolphins.

There are many theories as to why cetaceans get separated from their families. This includes predator disturbance, reproductive strategies, food availability, being ostracized by their pod, or due to environmental forces like the rough seas which force them to be separated fro the group.

Although there is international legislation passed to protect these animals, it seems that it is not enough to protect them. For instance, the groundbreaking case has successfully put the Wildlife and Countryside Act in action against two individuals who disturbed the solitary dolphin named Dave.

Protecting Solitary Dolphins

The occurrence of solitary dolphins in an area can help experts gain insights about them. But their safety is paramount and should there be any threats on them should be addressed.

Together with the Marine Animal Rescue Coalition (MARC) Solitary Dolphin Working Group, Marine Connection aims to develop action plans designed to protect dolphins and other lone cetaceans. To make sure that they are neither harmed nor killed and other greater measures to protect them in the short- and long-term.

A key in their goal is developing public/media outreach to inform better those people who come into contact with solitary cetaceans and what are the best practices to adopt when they meet these solitary animals.

Read More: Dolphin Population in Hong Kong Continues to Increase Amid the Pandemic

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