We are deeply saddened to report that solitary sociable dolphin CONFI (also known as Manoliño) has been confirmed dead. Since his appearance in 2019, this male dolphin has stayed in various areas of Galicia, Spain, but primarily in the Ría de Muros-Noia. Like most sociable bottlenose dolphins, he became habituated over time. In June of this year, CONFI disappeared from the Ría del Ferrol, where he had been since late 2024, there were concerns for his safety, as in 2022, CONFI suffered an injury caused by some type of small harpoon to the left side of his body – he recovered but was not so fortunate this time. When found in the Navantia dock, he had not only suffered large cuts due to a propeller, but his tail fluke was also completely severed.
Another solitary sociable dolphin has lost its life – being solitary isn’t the problem, dolphins becoming habituated through prolonged human contact is.
