Rare whale dies after stranding in harbour
Boatman tells of his dread over ageing famous dolphin
A RARE species of whale that got into difficulty in Wicklow Harbour yesterday has died.
The male Sowerby’s beaked whale was spotted swimming in the port.
Sadly the distressed mammal did not survive following concerns it may have suffered acoustic trauma as a result of noise pollution in the ocean.
It had earlier been reported as “nearly dead” as it was spotted stranding near the sailing club.
Simon Berrow, chief executive of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, explained that Sowerby’s beaked whales are usually found in deep water and this one could not survive in the Irish Sea.
He told RTE that the acoustic trauma may have resulted in the whale becoming lost after losing the ability to navigate and ended up in the Wicklow Harbour.
The IWDG said last night it hopes to have a postmortem performed on the mammal so they can learn more about the reasons for its death.
The group thanked the coastguard for their help yesterday.
Also known as North Atlantic or North Sea beaked whales, they are a species of toothed whales. Males have two triangular teeth present mid-way along the lower jaw.
He’s part of the family, he knows me and I know him JIMMY FLANNERY ON HIS BOND WITH FUNGIE
A BOATMAN who has spent his adult life playing with Fungie the dolphin for a living has told how he dreads the day he is no longer there.
An entire industry has grown up around the longest living solitary dolphin on the planet – but as he reaches his 40s his days in Dingle are numbered.
Jimmy Flannery admits realising the 12ft mammal is not going to be around for ever is hitting him hard.
The bottlenose appears alongside his Sea Safari rib like clockwork at a few minutes past eight every morning – and his love of human company has intensified in lockdown.
Jimmy said: “There is no reason for him to do this only that he wants to. It’s all on his terms.
“His top speed is 25 miles an hour. If he doesn’t want to be near you, he’s just gone.”
After more than three decades of waiting and watching for Fungie in the small stretch of ocean framed by sheer rocks, the Kerry boat operator is still tickled by his antics.
But he dreads the thought of finding the ocean going quiet – which is why he treasures every day with his pal. He revealed: “He’s the longest living solitary dolphin, he’s in the Guinness Book of Records. “They can tell dolphins can live up to 60 years by their teeth. “I am the first boat out in the morning and sometimes he won’t come to you straight away. It does cross my mind, ‘Is this the day? Is this the day I’m not going to find him?’ That’s going to happen some day. “He just might not be there and that will be a heartbreak. It will certainly break my heart anyway and I get choked up even talking about it.” He may be sliding into his golden years but in the harbour this week he was acting like a mammal in his prime – performing flips and high jumps and perching half out of the water to peer into the rib.
Jimmy, who checked with his TD Michael Healy-rae, to ensure he could pay daily visits to the cetacean during quarantine – believes the dolphin’s rejuvenated antics are down to him missing human interaction.
He added: “Since the lockdown there are definitely not as many boats going out to him but any time we go down now, he is livelier than ever. He is jumping around the place, he is sticking his nose up into the boats, he is splashing around the place, like an excited dog.” Jimmy believes people should take the chance to see the unique mammal while they still can. He added: “When Fungie is gone he’s gone, he can’t be replaced. We are privileged to be able to get close to him.” But there is far more to their connection than his livelihood for the past three decades. Jimmy added: “I know he senses when you need him and when you’re in trouble, I’ve had friends and family out terminally ill and he’s known. “There is just no other explanation for the way he acts. He’s part of the family, he knows me, and I know him.” And in those split seconds when Fungie surfaces high out of the sea he often looks directly in at the boatman who has grown older alongside him. He added: “The eyes are just so open, wide open. It’s like he’s looking into your soul.” news@irishmirror.ie