Karnataka - Mangalore   

In search of the elusive dolphins

Curious sight:A dolphin that was spotted during the boat ride organised by the Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project in Mangalore on Tuesday.

MANGALORE: Although a group of journalists ventured into the sea on Tuesday morning expecting to see dolphins as shown in films, they remained elusive.

After last night's rain, the sea appeared a stormy grey which turned into a pleasant green as the morning progressed.

The first group of journalists to set out on a motor boat at 7.30 a.m. did not have much luck.

The dolphins did oblige, but only to show off a fin or splash a tail. Only once was a substantial portion of a dolphin visible.

As the boat made its way through the waters beyond the breakwater of the port in search of the regular haunts of the dolphins, the group saw a curious sight: a bird apparently standing on the water.

On drifting closer to the small bird, it became clear that it was standing on a piece of debris, apparently resting its wings.

However, the bird took off when the boat got too close.

Chief Executive Officer of the Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project Yathish Baikampday organised a dolphin-sighting boat ride for journalists in two groups.

He said two kinds of dolphins frequented the Arabian Sea, the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus Capensis) which had a white underside, and the spinner dolphin (Stenella Longirostris) which is grey.

The dolphins usually come close to shore in search of food, and can even be seen from the shore, according to Anil, lifeguard at Panambur beach.

Sometimes, the dolphins can often be seen playing among themselves in groups of more than 10 near the breakwater constructed by the New Mangalore Port. A one-hour trip with a maximum seating capacity for 15 people would cost Rs. 3,000, Mr. Yathish Baikampady said and added that half the amount was refunded if no dolphin was sighted.

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