Good news for species conservation: Research results show that Lahille’s dolphins are more common on Argentina’s Atlantic coast than previously thought.
Oct 20, 2025, 9:56 p.mOct 20, 2025, 9:56 p.m
Melanie Köppel / watson.de
The rare Lahille dolphins are more common on the Argentine coast than previously thought. This is shown by the research project supported by the marine protection organization Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC).
Flipper would be happy: his rare relatives are showing up more often again. image: imago
Between October 2024 and August 2025, the Fundación Cethus team conducted research with a boat over 1,300 kilometers in the coastal waters around Bahía Blanca, Bahía Falsa, Bahía Verde and the Bahía San Blas protected area.
The result: 61 Lahille dolphins were spotted, 25 of which were clearly identified. There are also 178 Franciscana dolphins, also an endangered species. It is estimated that around 3,000 Franciscana dolphins fall victim to fishing as bycatch every year.
More dolphins, more hope
Lahille dolphins are a subspecies of the bottlenose dolphin, the type of dolphin that most people know from “Flipper” films. Only: This subspecies is on the verge of disappearing worldwide.
The new research results are an important signal for species protection, because Lahille’s dolphins are among the most threatened dolphin populations, especially in the southwestern Atlantic. There are only around 600 left, around 250 of which live in Argentine waters.
Dolphins in Argentina: Conversations recorded underwater
For the first time, the researchers were able to make systematic sound recordings of the dolphins. Using an underwater microphone, they recorded echolocation clicks and whistling sounds, which reveal a lot about the animals’ social life and hunting behavior.
In the future, this acoustic data will help to identify dolphins based solely on their voices, even in areas that are difficult to access.
The WDC wants to continue to support the project in order to expand the protection of the Lahille dolphins. In addition to field research, this project places great emphasis on training and local collaboration.
Underwater microphones record clicks and whistles, providing insights into the animals’ social lives and hunting.Image: www.imago-images.de
Students from the Universidad Nacional del Sur learn directly on site how to identify dolphins, evaluate data and analyze samples. Rangers from the nature reserves involved are also trained to collect data themselves and contribute to long-term protection.
A workshop on strandings and rescue measures is also planned for November, so that help can be provided more quickly in the future if an animal washes ashore.
The researchers also want to find out how dangerous the nets really are for dolphins, create a noise map of the bay and find out which dolphin has which “reputation”.
The new findings give hope: perhaps dolphins in the Atlantic have a better chance than we thought.