Dolphin attacks on Cardigan Bay porpoises baffle experts

14 July 2014 Last updated at 10:06

Dolphin attacks on porpoises in Cardigan Bay have left marine scientists scratching their heads.

Three out of four attacks by bottlenose dolphins noted in recent weeks by volunteers from New Quay-based Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre were fatal.

Science officer Sarah Perry said such attacks are not unknown but it was rare to see it happening in Cardigan Bay.

The centre suggested the attacks may be over competition for food or the result of dolphin mating behaviour.

It said scientists have always known that dolphins attack porpoises but the frequency of recent attacks is a real puzzle.

In May, volunteers at the centre (CBMWC) in Ceredigion rescued a porpoise that stranded on the beach after being chased by dolphins.

Last month researchers saw three dolphins killing a porpoise, with another similar incident a week later.

Then last week three dolphins spent 20 minutes attacking a porpoise close to the centre's research vessel Anna Lloyd.

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New Quay telescope to help track Cardigan Bay dolphins

A state-of-the-art telescope to monitor Cardigan Bay's dolphin population has been set up by a conservation charity.

New Quay-based Sea Watch Foundation has installed a 'digiscope' on the town's pier to record bottlenose dolphin numbers in the bay.

Its Pierwatch project will enable volunteers to track the 300 recorded animals living off the Welsh coast.

The new £3,000 telescope, when attached to a camera, will allow high-quality images of dolphins to be taken.

Sea Watch Foundation sightings officer, Kathy James, said: "Dolphin fins are much the same as human fingerprints in identifying individuals.

Breeding ground

"We can identify them from nicks and notches built up on the fins over time due to interactions with other dolphins.

"We usually monitor the dolphins on boats but the digiscope will give us the option of tracking the dolphins from shore when the weather is bad as well as saving on costs."

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Cardigan Bay is perfect home for bottle nosed dolphins

The waters along a 60-mile stretch of mid Wales' coastline have provided the perfect breeding ground for Europe's largest population of bottle nosed dolphins.

Cardigan Bay in Ceredigion is home to 250 of the playful creatures and, as the area marks National Dolphin Day, they are a popular tourist attraction.

Dolphin experts in New Quay say the bay has shallow waters and plenty of food.

It means the mammals, who can live to 30, remain in the bay permanently.

The Sea Watch Foundation in New Quay tracks the dolphins in Ceredigion over their lifetime.

"One of the main reasons they stay here is they have a very nice place to play, breed and have all the food they need to get by," said scientist Dr Salome Dussan-Duque.

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Cardigan Bay dolphins 'sent north' by noise

20 June 2013 Last updated at 07:37

Speedboats and water bikes using Cardigan Bay may be driving its famous dolphins over 100 miles north to quieter waters, experts have warned.

Bottlenose dolphins usually spend the summer months in the sea off Ceredigion before heading to north Wales and the Isle of Man for winter.

But research suggests they are spending less time in Cardigan Bay and noisy water sports could be partly to blame.

The Sea Watch Foundation has called for better protection for the mammals.

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