(VIDEOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

On Sunday morning, 15 Elul, inspectors of the Marine Unit of the Nature & Parks Authority Guy Levian, Evyatar Ben Avi and Uri Pro, went out with Dr. Aviad Sheinin the University of Haifa for a voyage for maritime surveillance and marine mammal surveys.

Northwest of the marina in Ashdod, about a kilometer from the beach, a dolphin band of about 25 dolphins was seen, including a small pup that was recently born. The band rode on a nosed wave and they observed them playing the waves. This is a well-known band of dolphins that is often seen west of the Avtach Yam Reserves by the researchers.

The common dolphin is an endangered species. Israel’s coasts were defined by the IUCN as important to the common dolphin.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Dr. Aviad Sheinin and Guy Levian)