People were deeply shocked when they witnessed what emerged from the sea. On the Romanian coast, tourists were taken by surprise by an unexpected sight in the water: a wounded dolphin washed ashore along with the waves.

Efforts were made to rescue the dolphin after it was pulled from the water, but sadly, its injuries were too severe for it to survive. Experts identified the dolphin as belonging to the Delphinus Delphis species.

The dolphin’s body showed multiple wounds, likely inflicted by fishing nets. In the Black Sea, three species of marine mammals are known to inhabit its waters: the Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus), the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus ponticus), and the Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta).

These dolphins vary not only in their physical characteristics but also in their preferred habitats and diets. The Bottlenose dolphin and Harbor porpoise primarily feed on fish and benthic organisms, while the Common dolphin’s diet includes fish and organisms found in the water column.

In terms of appearance, the Common dolphin in the Black Sea ranges from bluish-gray to brown on its dorsal side, with a distinct V-shaped marking on its flank. A pigmented band connects its lower jaw to the insertion of the pectoral fins, varying in darkness. Its dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins are typically black to gray-brown.

These dolphins are relatively small, with males reaching up to 177 cm and females up to 159 cm in length. They are highly sensitive to pollution, both chemical and acoustic, and are often found in groups of 10-15 individuals, as well as in pairs or alone. They are known for their agility, capable of swimming speeds up to 50 km/h, and perform short dives while frequently surfacing to breathe.

Reaching sexual maturity by two years old, Common dolphins have a gestation period of 10 months and wean their young at four months old. They exhibit strong maternal instincts and can live up to 25-30 years. Their diet mainly consists of small pelagic fish like sprat, anchovy, and gobies, along with crustaceans and other fish species.