A study was published: Dolphins of Slovenia are not the same as those around the island of Lošinj

Researchers of Morigenos (Slovenia) and Blue World (Croatia) have completed a study, which was published in a scientific journal Varstvo narave (Nature conservation). The title of the scientific paper is »Towards identification of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population structure in the north-eastern Adriatic Sea: preliminary results«. As studies of dolphins are being implemented in Slovenia and in the area around the island of Lošinj (Croatia), the scientists of both organisations attempted to determine whether both study areas are used by the same animals. In order to do that, they inspected the two photo-databases and compared the photographs of dorsal fins. Individual dolphins can be recognised and distinguished by natural marks (notches, scratches and scars) on their dorsal fins, which are regularly photographed. This method is called photo-identification. First results indicate low level of mixing between both populations, as none of the identified dolphins was seen in both study areas. This information is essential for future conservation strategies for dolphins in this part of the Adriatic Sea, as it most likely means that the two populations are at least partially separated. Because this study did not include data from the last three years (when the number of identified dolphins in Morigenos database has further increased), it will soon be repeated with new data. Click on the link below to view the paper.

Genov, T., Wiemann, A. & Fortuna, C. M. 2009. Towards identification of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population structure in the north-eastern Adriatic Sea: preliminary results. Varstvo narave, 22, 73-80. (340 KB)