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In 1984, Paddy
Ferriter, the Dingle Harbour lighthouse keeper, first began
watching a lone wild dolphin escort the town's fishing boats
to and from port. By August of that year, local Ministry of
Marine manager Kevin Flannery was able to officially record
the dolphin as a "permanent" resident of the
entrance channel and self-appointed "pilot" of the
fleet.
Two years later
the continuous investigations of a couple of cetacea
enthusiasts, Sheila Stokes and Brian Holmes, brought them to
Dingle Pier and into conversation with the seamen who were
still being entertained by the dolphin. Nine months of
intensive aquatic contact later, the dolphin had decided to
develop from a timid but inquisitive observer of the human
visitors into a playful, though mischievous, companion.
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. It also
soon became apparent that having become accustomed to
them, all humans, particularly females, would be
welcome. Now each and every person receives the same
special preferential treatment, be they swimmers,
divers, canoeists, windsurfers, or children paddling
from the small adjacent beach.
During
the summer months Fungie is often seen taking fish in
the harbour mouth. On several occasions he has been
observed catching a fish commonly known as a
"Garfish", a species which had not previously
been recorded as part of a dolphin's diet. During the
winter months he must travel further a field for his
nourishment.
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