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  • Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Mammals

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Scientific Name

Tursiops aduncus

Other Common Name(s)

Indian Ocean Bottlenose Dolphin

Body Weight

Up to 230 kg

Body Length

Up to 2.7 m

Dolphin swimming above a diver
Two dolphins, an adult and a calf, swim underwater.

Habitat

Coastal waters
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Diet

Fish and cephalopods such as squid
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.

Fun Facts

  • As mammals, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins need to swim to the water's surface from time to time to breathe through their lungs. They also frequently leap out of the water or ride on waves, exhibiting behavior similar to surfing.

  • Apart from sight, dolphins also navigate by echolocation. They produce clicking sounds to send out sound waves. When these waves hit an object, they bounce back towards the dolphins’ well-developed ears. This gives dolphins information about the location of the object and some indication of its shape and size.

Two dolphins leap out of blue water, creating splashes.
Dolphin's head and upper body out of blue water.

Distribution

Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

Threats & Conservation

Threats & Conservation

Threats

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    Urbanisation & Infrastructure

  • An axe and a hexagonal grid with red dotsAn axe and a hexagonal grid with red dots

    Overexploitation of Biological Resources

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    Human Disturbance & Ecosystem Disruption

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    Invasive Species & Diseases

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    Pollution

These dolphins live in coastal waters. Their natural habitats are exposed to degradation, exploitation and disturbances such as coastal development, pollution, fisheries and boat traffic. They are harmed by fisheries through overfishing and as bycatch.

Conservation

IUCN Red List categories with 'Near Threatened' highlighted. Categories include EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD.
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IUCN Red List

  • Near Threatened

Red List of China's Biodiversity

  • Data Deficient

CITES

  • Appendix II

Conservation Regulations​

  • Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law: Category 2

  • While Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are not a native species to Hong Kong, they have been spotted in Hong Kong waters. All cetaceans are protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) and the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong.

Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

The Park's Marine Life Stranding Response Team collaborates with the government to follow up on marine animal stranding cases in Hong Kong waters and has handled cases with stranded Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins before. The Park also conducts research on this species, aiming to deepen the understanding of dolphin behaviours.

Animal Rescue & Recovery in Ocean Park

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Research of Ocean Park

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Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

Saving Species & Habitats

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Plastic Challenge

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Come and see our animals and plants

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Dolphin Explorations

Marine World | The Summit
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Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre

Marine World | The Summit

Fun Activities

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Get Closer to the Animals

Dolphin Encounter

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Get Closer to the Animals

Meet the Dolphin

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Animal Programme

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Stage Programme

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Explore more animals & plants

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Plants

Moth Orchids

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Mammals

Meerkat

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Fish

Yellow Seahorse

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ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
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Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

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