Name a Bottlenose Dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins are very familiar to us all. They are everywhere from temperate to tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Black and Red Seas. The Scottish bottlenose dolphin, however, is the largest of them all.

Since 1997, the CRRU has been studying the only resident population of bottlenose dolphins in Scottish waters. Small and isolated at the northern extreme of its species range, this population is undoubtedly vulnerable to extinction. Repeated sightings of known individuals provides us with much information about the animals, such as numbers, movement patterns, habitat preferences and family bonds, for example. Between July 1997 and October 2007, the research team has catalogued more than 220 individually-identifiable bottlenose dolphins using the area of coastline between Lossiemouth and Fraserburgh in the outer southern Moray Firth [see bottlenose dolphin studies for further details].

Through this scheme, we are now offering you the unique opportunity to name one of these catalogued dolphins, and thereby support our ongoing work with these fascinating creatures! You may like to name the dolphin after yourself, after a loved one, or as a special gift. In return for your valued support, naming a bottlenose dolphin entitles you to the following privileges:

Click HERE to download an Application Form (PDF file)

Please Note: you will require a copy of Acrobat Reader to download this form. This software can be downloaded for free by clicking on the following link: