Panic over as Fungi alive and flipping

Alarming rumours of the demise of Fungi the dolphin have been greatly exaggerated and, despite growing international concern for his well-being, the playful mammal is still alive and flipping.

Relieved tourism business owners in Dingle, Co Kerry, were at pains yesterday to stress that Fungi was enjoying his usual fun and games and was looking as sprightly and energetic as ever.

Reports had spread on social media sites that the bottle-noised dolphin had gone belly-up off Dingle Harbour, but frantic spot-checks confirmed that the magnificent mammal was in fine fettle and still attracting visitors by the busload to the bustling holiday town.

Fungi fans were prematurely expressing their grief and posting messages of sympathy on Twitter and Facebook from early yesterday morning, but their concern was unnecessary as it was quickly confirmed that the country’s most famous dolphin was in perfect shape.

Anxious fishermen who operate daily excursions to see Fungi in action were able to put thousands of minds at rest when they returned from early-morning tours, during which they saw him up chasing boats and getting up to his usual boisterous antics.

Thought Fungi The Dolphin died and then found out his alive :') #MyChildhood

— Sned ^_^ (@SineeadM) November 12, 2012

“It’s not true. Fungi is in no danger at all,” said local councillor Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald, who realises the importance of the dynamic dolphin to the west Kerry economy.

“I rang a local fisherman and the information he gave me was that Fungi is alive and doing his usual performances.”

Mr Fitzgerald said he does not know how the rumour started but he can state categorically that it is not true.

The veteran dolphin, who first appeared off Dingle Harbour in 1983, has been worth his weight in multiples to the local tourism trade as he attracts thousands of visits to the area every year.

The bottlenosed resident is held in such high esteem that locals have even erected a bronze statue in his honour and, aside from the money-spinning hourly sightseeing trips, his image is also used for Fungi merchandise and souvenirs. which have found their way to all parts of the world.

Fungi, who is believed to reside in a small cave under cliffs, is ever-present to welcome boats, trawlers and yachts and, after straying from his pod, he has been Dingle’s official ambassador for almost three decades.

Although he regularly delivers living fish, gently clasped in his jaws, to divers off Dingle Port, Fungi never accepts gifts and demonstrates a stubborn independent streak by snubbing fish thrown from returning trawlers.