image sourced from original article at A recent marine survey along Israel’s Mediterranean coast documented a healthy population of common bottlenose dolphins and a rare sighting of a brown booby, a bird seldom seen in the region. The two-day expedition recorded 18 dolphins traveling in two pods, along with a wide variety of seabirds and migratory birds.
Researchers also observed a pair of loggerhead turtles mating, just as turtle nesting season begins on Israel’s beaches and continues through August. The dolphins, including a well-known female named Suki and one of her offspring, accompanied the research vessels during part of the journey.
Marine experts noted that dolphins are top predators in the Mediterranean Sea, and their presence in such numbers is a positive sign for the health of the ecosystem. The survey, conducted under an international framework for protecting the Mediterranean Sea, contributes to ongoing efforts to monitor and safeguard marine life in the region.
