During a routine marine patrol in the Gulf of Eilat, Israel Nature and Parks Authority ranger Omri Omsi documented a rare and special encounter with a pod of Risso’s dolphins. Five adult dolphins were seen resting on the water’s surface, swimming gracefully in remarkable coordination. “I recognized markings on their dorsal fins, indicating that these are dolphins previously documented in the gulf’s waters,” Omsi said.
Who Are Risso’s Dolphins?
Dr. Asaf Zevuloni, an ecologist specializing in the Gulf of Eilat for the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, explained that Risso’s dolphins are relatively large, reaching up to four meters in length. “Unlike the well-known bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins have a flatter face, and their skin color ranges from gray to white, often covered in numerous scars.”
The expert emphasized why this sighting in the Gulf of Eilat is unique and exciting: “Risso’s dolphins are found in temperate and tropical oceans and seas worldwide, including the Mediterranean and the Red Sea along Israel’s coastline. Typically, these dolphins stay far from shore in deep-water areas,” Zevuloni noted.
How to Behave When Encountering Dolphins?
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority stressed that these marine mammals are expected to remain in the area for the coming weeks. When encountering a pod of dolphins, the public must remember that they are a protected species in Israel. Therefore, it is essential to allow them sufficient space to swim and maneuver freely, avoid blocking their path, and refrain from feeding or touching them.
