July the 12th, 2026 – The first newborn bottlenose dolphin calves of 2026 have been spotted in the waters around the Croatian island of Vis.
According to the Blue World Institute (Institut Plavi svijet), researchers recorded three female dolphins giving birth to new calves, marking an encouraging start to the year’s breeding season in the Adriatic Sea.
The proud mothers, Arganel, Jaglica, and Dinka, have each welcomed a calf, adding a new generation to the resident bottlenose dolphin population. Index reports that scientists observed the newborns swimming closely alongside their mothers, a behaviour that is essential for their survival during the first weeks of life.
Newborn dolphins remain pressed against their mother’s side to take advantage of the water flow created by her movement. This reduces the energy they need to swim while allowing them to keep pace with the adult. Their relatively thick layer of body fat also improves buoyancy, making it easier for the calves to stay near the surface and conserve energy.
Researchers also encountered one-year-old dolphins Srećko and Gatul. The team highlighted Srećko’s progress, noting that a playful leap out of the water demonstrated significant growth in both size and agility since last year. Such observations help scientists monitor the health and development of individual dolphins over time.
The Blue World Institute has invited the public to support its long-term research and conservation work by symbolically adopting a dolphin. The programme helps fund ongoing monitoring of the bottlenose dolphin population in the Croatian Adriatic, contributing to efforts to protect the species for future generations.
