Fungie

Fungie
Species Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Sex male
Born before 1983
Years active 1983–
Known for Long life
Residence Dingle harbour and nearby waters
Named after A local fisherman who was mocked for his attempt to grow a beard, who was nicknamed "Fungus"[1]
Statue of Fungie the Dolphin located outside of the Tourist and Information Office in Dingle Town.

Fungie (/ˈfʊŋɡi/), also known as the Dingle Dolphin,[2] is a common bottlenose dolphin who is known to live in very close contact with humans in Dingle, Ireland.[3][4] According to locals he was first seen in the harbour in 1983, and continues to seek out human contact over thirty years later. Dolphins have been known to live to 48 years of age.[5] Fungie is a male fully grown bottlenose dolphin.

Fungie is known to interact playfully with swimmers, surfers, kayakers and divers in the water. There haven't been any recorded cases of Fungie being aggressive towards humans. Although it is normal for social animals like dolphins to live in close contact with each other, it is still a rare occurrence for them to seek out human contact, and Fungie is the first recorded occurrence of a dolphin interacting positively with humans in the wild in Ireland. Fungie has been observed eating garfish, something not previously known to be eaten by dolphins.

References

  1. ↑ "FUNGIE FAQ - IrishDolphins.com". www.irishdolphins.com.
  2. ↑ Cutie little dolphin "Dingle Dolphin Tours - Boat Trips to see Fungie the Dingle Dolphin in Dingle Harbour County Kerry Ireland". Dingle Dolphin Tours. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  3. ↑ "Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin". Dingle Peninsula. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "Dingle's dolphin – meet Fungie". Ireland.com. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  5. ↑ "What is the Lifespan of a Dolphin? - Dolphin Facts and Information". www.dolphins-world.com. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
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