The record holder has done it again: Suki the dolphin was documented with a new calf

In a marine survey conducted by Delphis researchers and volunteers, seven dolphins were documented off the coast of Herzliya, including four mothers known to the researchers and two pups. Among the mothers was Suki, who holds the title of "record holder for calvings," and was observed this time with her eighth pup. The survey was part of a long-term study of local dolphin populations

The year 2026 began with new dolphin pups spotted off the coast of the center: During a dolphin survey conducted by Delphis researchers and volunteers, seven common dolphins were spotted, including five mothers and two pups. Four of the mothers were identified by researcher Kim Kobo as Suki, Ayala, Ziggy, and Twiggy – veteran dolphins that have been spotted in our area for about two decades. The survey was part of an ongoing study of local dolphin populations, which has been conducted for about 25 years by Delphis and the University of Haifa.

Two of the mothers observed during the survey. Photo: Dr. Aviad Scheinin, Delphis

The survey, led by Dr. Aviad Scheinin, head of the superpredators division at the University of Haifa's Morris Kahn Marine Research Station and director of the Delphis Dolphin & Sea Center, and Meytal Markowitz, a volunteer with the association, was conducted from two yachts simultaneously, in collaboration with the 'Derech Hayam' and Yachttime yacht clubs.

Suki - one of the oldest documented dolphins in the research

First, the teams documented off the coast of Herzliya the dolphin Suki and her newborn calf, which according to Dr. Scheinin was born in the last few weeks, and were later joined by the dolphins Twiggy and Ayala, as well as a mother (who has not yet been identified) and a calf (slightly larger). In total, the teams documented seven dolphins during the survey. Dr. Scheinin: "The closeness between them within the pod was very interesting."

Suki’s eighth calf, as documented during the survey by Dr. Aviad Scheinin, Delphis

Researcher Kim Kobo, from the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station of the Cherney School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa, identified the dolphins by comparing the images to the Israeli dolphin catalog, in which dolphins are identified based on their dorsal fin (which is unique to each individual, just like a human fingerprint).

Suki and her calf, along with another dolphin that has not yet been identified. Photo: Dana Reininger, Delphis volunteer

The most common of the dolphin species in Israel

The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the more common and well-known of the two dolphin species that live along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Its population includes approximately 360 individuals, which have been documented by researchers. This species is not in danger of extinction. The Mediterranean subpopulation is classified as Least Concern (LC).

The dolphins were identified based on a photograph of their dorsal fin, which is unique to each individual

Dr. Aviad Scheinin, founder of the Delphis Association and head of the super predators department at the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station: “Over the past year, we conducted 49 dedicated surveys along the Israeli coastline, covering a total distance of 1,174 nautical miles, with the aim of monitoring local dolphin populations. In total, 25 sightings were recorded during these surveys: 22 involved common bottlenose dolphins, and three additional, exceptional sightings involved dolphins of two species - common bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins.”

The Delphis association adds that dozens of citizens have reported sightings of marine mammals to the association over the past year. "These reports are very important for the research, and add to the database, which has been collected since the early 1990s."

What do you do if you see a marine mammal?

Have you encountered a marine mammal? Keep your distance, keep curious people away, take pictures