One of the Island's most charismatic marine creatures will be in the media spotlight this evening (Tuesday 17th November).
The One Show on BBC1 will focus on Risso's Dolphins, showing footage from Manx waters.
Presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff and a BBC camera team joined the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch for a routine survey aboard their research vessel, Grampus, in mid-June this year.
The trip yielded several sightings between Port St Mary and the Calf of Man, which will be included in the magazine-format programme.
Roughly half of the UK population of Risso's Dolphins are thought to live in the Island's coastal waters, making them a hotspot for sightings. The dolphins, which live mid-ocean, are rarely seen in British waters, making this footage of particularly value and interest.
Risso's Dolphins, which can be up to 3.5 metres in length, are one of eight cetacean (whale and dolphin) species regularly found throughout the Irish Sea. Adults are distinguished by their pale colouring; large, blunt head; 'scarring' along the body; and tall, curved dorsal fin.
The Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch operates under a special licence which allows its researchers to come into closer proximity to sighted species than is usually permitted (more information on the Marine Code of Conduct can be found here).
The One Show will be broadcast at at 7pm on BBC1 on 17th November. The programme will also be available to view on BBC IPlayer.
For more information about the work of the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch, click here or contact John Galpin on (01624) 844353.
