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| Dolphin Days Ireland was established in 2006 by husband and wife team Mike, & Cetologist and student of Marine Science, Vanessa Fagan Vanhorn after they had a life changing experience with Fungie the Dingle Dolphin. During their visit to Dingle they spoke with many Irish people from around the country who believed that Fungie was a unique phenomanon. |
| They were surprised that people seemed to be unaware of the presence of 24 species of whales & dolphins that pass regularly in Irish waters. Most people believed that to see dolphins you would have to travel to a more tropical habitat. So Dolphin Days was born out of a passion for dolphins and wanting to share that passion with others. Dolphin Days currently has over 355 members and continues to grow. Dolphin Days office is based in Kildare, however their work takes them to Sligo, Galway, Clare, Kerry & Cork on a regular basis throughout the year. |
| We have been researching Dolphin-Human interaction and communication since 2006 and continue to do this work along the west coast. We document not only our own dolphin encounter but also observe and record others in both Journals and through film documentation. By filming all our encounters we can go back over footage and compare behaviours displayed by the dolphins over the years. Vanessa records all underwater activity, while mike records from above. |
| What we would like to see for the future We would love to see the knowledg of Dolphin and whales in Irish waters introduced into Biology and geography curriculums in Irish schools A better rescue programme on our beaches around the coastline. Education/ advice kiosks placed at beaches where interactive dolphins reside during the high season. emergency rescue pontoons to be easily accessed at harbours and beaches through out the country with guidelines displayed on how to handle a live stranding. Child & Parents dolphin days to be set up in institutions, for families to have fun learning about dolphins and whales |
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| Picture taken during our first Dolphin encounter in 2005 |