Holly the Egyptian Dolphin... a lesson to be learnt? [2/11/00]

IMMRAC has documented the development of Holly, an Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus). Holly is one of the few sociable yet solitary dolphins worldwide currently conducting a long-lasting relationship with humans. The interaction takes place off the small fishing village of Nuweiba el Muzeina. In the last 6.5 years Holly has given birth twice to healthy male calves. Holly raised her calves among humans, maintaining close contact. Both calves died at exactly the same age - six months and three weeks. The cause of the death remains a mystery in both cases.

On the night of October 1, 2000 , Holly gave birth to a third calf. To date, Holly and her healthy female calf continue to swim in their small home range in front of the Bedouin village. Only small groups of swimmers are permitted to swim with the dolphins. The Bedouins take visitors to view the dolphins from a small dinghy. Swimming regulations will be kept strictly this time, in contrast with the past policy of permitting almost anyone to swim with Holly and the calves.

There has been much aggressive behaviour towards humans displayed by Holly in the last few years. Holly rapidly becomes defensive.  She still uses warning signs employed by wild dolphins when she feels threatened by a swimmer. Unfortunately the average tourist either ignores or does not comprehend these the signs. Therefore, visitors have been requested not to enter the area at present. The Bedouins are also on guard and determined to protect their dolphins from swimmers.