Scientists studying nose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary are listening to the animals to learn about their behaviour.
Scientists are developing new acoustic techniques to monitor the bottlenose dolphins and learn about their behaviour. This information is vital for the protection of many species of dolphins and whales living in Irish waters.
The mouth of the Shannon. The best place in Europe to see these beautiful creatures.
Dr Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group outlines some of the work being carried out to monitor the behaviour of the dolphins. He explains how the use of acoustics allows researchers to listen for dolphins day or night in all weathers.
Simon Berrow says that there are still a lot of things that we do not know about these dolphins. What do they eat? What age do they breed? How long do their calves stay with them? Where do they move to? Why are they here? Through the use of special equipment to record and study the sound the dolphins make, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group hopes to find answers to many of these questions.
The recordings will provide a basis for research back at base. Research Assistant Janelle Atkinson says that the natural environment in Ireland is ideal for studying the behaviour of these dolphins.
Simon Berrow acknowledges that the fact that they are studying the dolphins from a boat may actually be influencing the sounds that the dolphins make.
They might be saying go away boat, go away boat.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 August 2006. The reporter is Emma O’Kelly.
