Three familiar dolphins spotted off Herzliya
- delphisisrael
- Dec 17, 2025
- 3 min read
The three - Orly, Geva and Peru - are veteran dolphins, who have been documented in Israel since the early 2000s. All of them have been seen with pups in the past, and in the current marine survey Geva was seen with a new pup. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Delphis Association and the "Derech Hayam" yacht club, as part of a long-term study of the local dolphin population.
Researchers from the Delphis Association did not expect such a miracle during Hanukkah: three veteran female common dolphins, along with a calf, were spotted at the beginning of the holiday off the coast of Herzliya, during a marine survey conducted in collaboration with the Delphis Association and the "Derech Hayam" yacht club, and led by Meital Markowitz, a Delphis volunteer, as part of an ongoing study of local dolphin populations, which has been underway for about 25 years.
Researcher Kim Kobo, from the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station of the Czerny School of Marine Sciences at the University of Haifa, identified the dolphins observed in the survey 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). The images identified the three dolphins Fero, Orly, and Geva. Geva was seen with a young calf by her side.
Delphis researchers: All dolphins observed are veterans and have been seen with pups in the past
Delphis researchers say that Orly is one of the oldest dolphins in the catalog. She was first recorded in 2002 and is observed mainly in the central region of the country. She was last seen in 2023 and has been seen with two pups to this day.
The dolphin Geva is also a veteran dolphin in our area, first recorded in 2005. Geva was last recorded in 2023, and the calf seen alongside her this time is her fourth in number.
The dolphin Peru, named after Uri Peru, a marine inspector for the Nature and Parks Authority in the southern region who documented many dolphins as part of his work, was last observed in 2024, after a long absence of six years.
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).
Common dolphin sightings in 2025
Dr. Aviad Sheinin, founder of the Delphis Association and director of the Dolphin and Sea Center, explained: "Last year, we conducted 49 proactive surveys off the coast of Israel, covering a distance of 1,174 nautical miles, with the aim of monitoring local dolphin populations. This year, there were a total of 25 observations as part of those surveys, 22 of which were of common dolphins, and three more, and exceptional, of dolphins of two species: common dolphins and common dolphins."
The Delfis 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 and report!
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