The price of our affection: What happens when lonely dolphins befriend us. By Laetitia Nunny (OceanCare Science Department)

By Laetitia Nunny, OceanCare Science Department

The desire for a close encounter

When people rush to interact with a solitary dolphin, they rarely stop to consider what the ultimate outcome of this action will be for the animal. They want to approach for its own benefit: for the excitement, for a selfie, for the story they'll tell their friends. They believe it will be a magical encounter, perhaps even a spiritual one for them. They may even convince themselves that they are special, that the dolphin has chosen them to establish a unique bond. But sadly, these encounters are rarely as benign as they seem.

What are sociable solitary dolphins?

Sociable solitary dolphins are wild dolphins that, for reasons we don't yet fully understand and that likely vary from dolphin to dolphin, live alone and eventually seek out high levels of human contact. There have been cases worldwide involving many different species of dolphins, although the vast majority are bottlenose dolphins. This is likely because they are typically found in coastal waters and are therefore more easily accessible to humans.

These unique dolphins are often treated like local celebrities. Tourists may flock to see them, eager to touch them, swim with them, or, in the worst case—since it's a form of cruelty to a wild animal—ride them. It's easy to idealize these dolphins as free spirits who choose to be our friends. But the truth is more complicated.

When loneliness becomes a risk

Some dolphin populations have stable social structures, while others are more fluid, with individuals regularly changing groups. It's not uncommon for dolphins to spend time alone, but what is unusual and potentially dangerous is for a dolphin to remain alone for an extended period. When this happens near humans, the best thing we can do is keep our distance and give the dolphin a chance to move on and reconnect with its fellow dolphins.

However, there have been many cases in which a solitary dolphin has remained in a specific location for an extended period and gradually become accustomed to interacting with humans. This process occurs through a series of recognized stages that have been explained in the scientific literature.

Boats, buoys and the dangers of contact with humans

During the early stages of this process, it's common for a solitary dolphin to spend time resting next to a specific buoy or moored boat. Their particular interest in boats often results in solitary dolphins being injured or killed; there are countless recorded cases of propeller injuries.

Recently, Confi, the solitary and sociable bottlenose dolphin that lived for six years in the estuaries of Galicia, disappeared, and photos of his body finally emerged, with injuries indicating he had been struck by a boat propeller. What brings these animals close to us can end up killing them.

Although boat-related injuries can be accidental, sadly, some people deliberately injure solitary dolphins. In 2022, Confi was shot with a harpoon, which remained lodged in his side for 16 days. Fortunately, he was able to remove it himself, and the wound healed well. These incidents demonstrate that dolphins do not thrive on close contact with humans.

From friendly to fearless

As a solitary dolphin progresses through the stages of sociability, it becomes less and less fearful of humans. In the more advanced stages, it may display dominant behaviors toward people, and this is when they become truly endangered.

A wild bottlenose dolphin is a large and powerful animal, weighing hundreds of kilos. There are documented cases of people suffering internal injuries or fractures caused by being struck. In the most extreme case known, a lone dolphin killed a man by ramming him in Brazil.

While physical injuries may be rare, they can also interact with humans in dangerous ways. Confi once dragged a diver to the surface by the arm, causing injuries that may have led to decompression sickness.

It's worth noting that the progression toward sociability isn't inevitable, and some dolphins return to live with others after a period of solitude. They all have their own unique personalities, so it's difficult to generalize.

A lesson from Confi

Confi will be missed by the local communities and the organizations that tried to keep him safe. However, keeping a solitary, sociable dolphin safe from danger is a nearly impossible task. The best thing we can do is not interact with him, so as not to encourage him to follow the path of human dependency. It's very hard, but it's the best thing for the animal.

For more scientific information on solitary and sociable dolphins: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00331/full

Laetitia Nunny, Senior Science Officer at OceanCare's Science Department

Main photo: Ribeira do Freixo (Outes) – 10/31/2022.- Members of Cenma, Coordinator for the study of marine mammals, try to rescue the dolphin known as "Manoliño" EFE FILE/Lavandeira jr

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