​​Spotlight on Lucy: Longitudinal Monitoring of a Resident Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin at Ponta do Ouro

We have conducted continuous photo-identification and behavioural monitoring of Lucy, a female Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) since her birth in December 2013. Initially sexed as male based on preliminary observations, Lucy is the offspring of Lolly, a resident female last documented in 2022. Now aged 12 years, Lucy represents a valuable case in our long-term dataset on individual life histories.

First images of Lucy date back to December 2013. Mum Lolly recognizable by both her dorsal fin and white spot in-front of her dorsal.

By the age of three, Lucy was identifiable through her dorsal fin which, which had become recognisable through a series of large notches and nicks.

Image: Lolly with Lucy December 2016

Lucy experienced her first pregnancy, confirmed in July 2025, culminating in the birth during October 2025. By December 2025, the calf's mortality was verified through the absence of mammary gland engorgement in Lucy, indicating cessation of lactation.

Image 1: Adot (left), Lucy (right) pregnant August 2025

Image 2: Lucy with her newborn October 2025 - both showing evidence of possible predation event

Neonatal mortality in bottlenose dolphins remains a significant factor influencing population dynamics. Documented causes in free-ranging populations include predation (particularly by large sharks), conspecific infanticide, anthropogenic interactions such as vessel strikes and fisheries bycatch (e.g., entanglement in gear), exposure to persistent organic pollutants transferred via maternal milk, infectious diseases and birthing complications. In regions with intensive boat-based tourism and coastal development.

Image: Lucy December 2025 - no calf and her mammaries showing no signs of holding milk.

Mitigation strategies require evidence-based interventions. These include enforcing vessel speed restrictions and approach distances in critical habitats to reduce collision risks, promoting responsible eco-tourism protocols to minimise behavioural disruption, supporting marine debris reduction and pollution control measures.

Participation in systematic monitoring enhances our understanding of demographic parameters and informs conservation policy. Collaborative efforts are essential to enhance calf survivorship and ensure the long-term viability of resident dolphin populations in southern Mozambique.