Dolphins are an integral part of the Eilat seascape, but recently a type of dolphin rarely seen in Israeli waters has been spotted in the bay off the resort city's coast.
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This weekend, reports arrived of a lone Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, apparently male, who was seen some 100 meters (328 feet) offshore.
Israel Nature and Parks Authority ranger Omri Amosi reported that the dolphin measures two to two and a half meters (6.5 to 8.2 feet) long and is missing one of its side fins.
Video: Omri Amosi / Israel Nature and Parks Authority
On Saturday morning, the male dolphin appeared to be interacting with a female Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin who first appeared in Eilat Bay some two years ago, who has been named "Rona" and is known as extremely friendly to humans. INPA rangers are hoping that the two will become an item, and are warning the public to keep their distance from the male and allow him to enjoy the Eilat waters unmolested.
Eilat Bay is already home to four dolphins who live in the former dolphin reef and regularly swim near the city's pier.
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins usually live in the ocean around India, northern Australia, South China, and the eastern coast of Africa, as well as in the Red Sea. They are smaller than common bottlenose dolphins and have more teeth.
Adults can reach a length of 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) and have dark gray backs with lighter gray bellies, or bellies that are nearly white with gray spots.
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