Long-living Fungie makes splash in record books

Fungie is officially the longest living solitary dolphin on the planet, according to a new study. Since his arrival into Dingle, Co Kerry, 35 years ago, the now middle-aged bottlenose dolphin has become a national treasure.

Fungie is officially the longest living solitary dolphin on the planet, according to the Second Edition of a report which was first launched in 2008. Since his arrival into Dingle, Co Kerry, 35 years ago, the now middle-aged bottlenose dolphin has become a national treasure.

The new Lone Rangers report has catalogued a global list of 114 solitary whales and dolphins which interact with humans with the oldest record dating back to 109AD when a pair of dolphins in Tunisia befriended a young boy. The Marine Connection study, a charity which protects dolphins and whales, examined the phenomenon of the sociable marine mammals who enjoy human company.