Fungi set to be joined by ‘unfriendly’ dolphin
A second male solitary dolphin has turned up in the southern side of Dingle Bay and nature watchers are keeping a lookout for any interaction between the two.
Since he first appeared around 1983, Fungi has had Dingle Harbour as his sole territory and a small industry has built up around him with upwards of 10 ferries taking tourists to swim with him, or simply enjoy his dives and splashes.
He is also known as a human-friendly dolphin and close encounters with him are believed by some to help people suffering from depression.
But, a second bottlenose dolphin spotted in recent days is understood to be one nicknamed ‘Clet’ which, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, was involved in some “unsavoury incidents’’ off West Cork during the summer.
Swimmers have been warned that Clet does not welcome human attention and is best left alone.
People are being advised to enjoy viewing Clet safely from boats, or the shoreline, as dolphins are marine mammals that can and do cause injury.
