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The Dolphins of the Moray Firth

Euan McIlwraith heads to the Moray Firth to visit Scotland's bottlenose dolphins. He finds out how they communicate underwater, and explores the dangers of noise pollution.

The north-east of Scotland is home to the world's most northerly group of bottlenose dolphins. It's a small population compared to others elsewhere, but they're protected by EU conservation laws, and seem to be thriving here. Euan McIlwraith hears from the conservationists who monitor the dolphins, and heads out into the Moray Firth on a research boat to meet Jigsaw and Goose, two of the locals! He learns how scientists can now identify and track each dolphin individually, using computer technology and a powerful camera. And he borrows a hydrophone (or "underwater microphone") to try his hand at recording some of the sounds they make.

Photo courtesy of WDC/Charlie Phillips.

Available now

20 minutes

Broadcast

  • Thu 24 Sep 2015 03:15

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