Dingle’s most famous resident has just set an impressive new world record.
Fungie the dolphin, who first appeared in Dingle, Co. Kerry back in 1983, is now said to be the world’s longest living solitary dolphin by a new marine study.
The bottlenose dolphin is approaching 40 years old now, and for four decades has had entire Dingle boat tours dedicated to meeting him out on the bay.
The ‘Lone Rangers’ report is part of a study by The Marine Connection, a charity that analysed a global list of 114 solitary whales and dolphins that interact with humans.
Co-authored by Lissa Goodwin and Margaux Dodds, it looked at dolphins and whales from Ireland to New Zealand that “regularly closely approach humans”.
Marine Connection director Margaux Dodds said, “Fungie is a very engaging dolphin who has become an international phenomenon with people travelling from near and far just to catch a sight of this enigmatic marine mammal.
“Who knows why he has chosen to remain in this beautiful sheltered bay for decades, but the town is, I am sure, pleased he has.”
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