Dear MARMAM and ECS subscribers, During the course of the Slovenian Dolphin Project, a long-term project on research and conservation of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting Slovenian Sea and the surrounding waters (northern Adriatic Sea), carried out by Morigenos – marine mammal research and conservation society from Slovenia, we came across an unusual sighting. On 8th July 2005, during one of our regular surveys we encountered a dolphin with a large wound on its ventral side of the body (chest / belly). The wound was noticed thanks to the dolphin's aerial behaviour. The wound was diamond-shaped and estimated to be around 10 cm in diameter. It seems that muscle tissue has been exposed. The photos of the dolphin and its wound can be seen at www.morigenos.org/dolphin_wound.htm Please let us know if you have any problems opening the photos. We have never witnessed anything like this before. Given the appearance of the wound, we seriously doubt that the injury could have been inflicted by the animal's conspecifics. We are sceptical about the possibility of a shark bite, as large sharks are very rarely present in the area and to us the wound does not look as if it was inflicted by a shark bite. Some people noted that the shape of the wound reminds them of a harpoon wound... Photo-identification enabled the recognition of the wounded dolphin. It is a presumed female, one of our most resident animals, with the highest re-sighting rate of all the catalogued animals. We have been regularly encountering that animal since the beginning of our photo-identification work, started in 2003. It is usually seen in groups of around 10 animals of mixed gender and age (including calves and newborns). After the described observation, we have been regularly encountering that dolphin throughout the summer. The wounded dolphin did not show any abnormal behaviour and did not show any signs of trauma. Moreover, it performed displays such as leaps and breaches. This dolphin often approaches the research vessel and it is often seen swimming next to mothers with their newborns. It is also repeatedly involved in interactions with open-water pair trawlers and bottom trawlers. Throughout the season it was obviously behaving as a normal member of the group. We would be very interested to hear any suggestions on what might have inflicted that wound and to hear if anyone else has ever come across such wounds in dolphins inhabiting other areas. We are willing to summarize all the responses we get and post them on the mailing list. Sincerely Yours, Tilen Genov tilen.genov@gmail.com Morigenos – marine mammal research and conservation society Jarska cesta 36/a 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia www.morigenos.org Morigenos - marine mammal research and conservation society is a non-profit non-governmental organization from Slovenia, dedicated to marine mammal research and conservation and the preservation of marine environment.