Dear colleagues,

 

Solitary and out-of-habitat bottlenose dolphins represent a growing management challenge across European waters. These individuals often display atypical ranging patterns, elevated risk of human interaction, and behavioural shifts that complicate both conservation goals and public safety.

This workshop will bring together researchers and welfare specialists to review current knowledge on the drivers and welfare implications of solitary and extralimital dolphins. Case studies from recent European events will serve as a foundation for discussing assessment protocols, decision frameworks, and coordinated response strategies. The workshop aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration and identify research priorities that can support evidence-based management of these increasingly frequent and high-profile cases.

 

The workshop will be held online on June 10 and 12, starting at 12:00 CET on both days. Please see the agenda below.

If you would like to join, please fill in your contact details in this form, and we will send you a Zoom link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaHv67OQisuSqCJhSfH4UjFt1_RZov26GncaitXtHteRoP_Q/viewform?usp=publish-editor

 

Best regards,

Olga Filatova

with Mark Simmonds and Laetitia Nunny
Solitary Dolphin Workshop Organizing Team

 

Workshop on Solitary and Out-of-habitat Bottlenose Dolphins

AGENDA

 

June 10, 2026. 12:00 – 15:00 CET

 Chair: Mark Simmonds

 12:00-12:10    Welcome – Olga and Mark

12:10-12:30     Introductions

 SESSION 1

 

12:30-12:55     Guido Pietroluongo: The 'dolphin of Venice': management of a solitary bottlenose dolphin in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy

12:55-13:20     Mónica González and Alfredo López: Solitary bottlenose dolphins in Galicia, Spain

                      BREAK – 10 mins

13:30-13:55     Dan Jarvis: Management of social solitary bottlenose dolphins in the south west UK region

                      13:55-14:15     Laetitia Nunny: A solitary dolphin in Lyme Bay, UK

                      14:15-14:35     Pine Eisfeld-Pierantonio: Dave the dolphin

                      14:35-15:00     Discussion

 

 June 12, 2026. 12:00 – 15:00 CET

 SESSION 2

 Chair: Mark Simmonds

12:00-12:30     Mike Bossley: Behavioural anomalies of solitary bottlenose dolphins in Adelaide’s Port River estuary

12:30-12:50     Laetitia Nunny: What is an out of habitat marine mammal?

12:50-13:15     Olga Filatova: Bottlenose dolphins in Denmark – solitary and/or out of habitat

                      BREAK – 10 mins

                      13:25-13:50     Liz Sandeman: A history of UK’s solitary                        sociable dolphins

13:50-14:15     Dan Jarvis: Monitoring and interventions for out of habitat common dolphins in intertidal rivers/estuaries

                     14:15-15:00     Discussion and conclusions