A Dolphin Called Traveller
When we realised the common dolphins which came into Port Phillip in 2005 were here to stay, we wondered if such a small group could survive.
Today we have over 160 in the Port Phillip Common Dolphin Catalogue and evidence of the third generation since 2005 – a truly remarkable story!
Our team always spoke about “transient” dolphins that we occasionally see, often in large groups, that we assume come in from Bass Strait for brief visits.
But we never had proof of animals being recorded inside and outside the bay – until we found a common dolphin called Traveller.
We first recorded Traveller off Phillip Island in June 2016 (top image). Then in October 2021, over five years later, we photographed her inside Port Phillip with her very own calf (below image)!
Since then, Traveller has been seen inside Port Phillip almost every winter. More recently, she was sighted in July 2025 with her newest calf (image below), travelling and feeding with a group of 80+ common dolphins off the coast of Mornington.
We maintain two photo-ID catalogues for common dolphins seen inside Port Phillip and those seen around the Bass Coast. Traveller is the first dolphin ever matched across both catalogues, giving us the first solid evidence that some individuals move between these regions.
This information is critical for environmental managers as it tells us that the Port Phillip common dolphin community isn’t isolated and is part of a larger, connected population extending into northern Bass Strait.
This new understanding is excellent news, as a larger community provides greater resilience against pollution and environmental change!
Further research and analysis will help us to understand the mix of resident and transient animals.
Every sighting of common dolphins, whether from our dedicated research surveys or from citizen scientists, adds pieces to the puzzle. Dolphins can be identified by the unique shape and markings on their dorsal fins, which means that photos taken by our community can help track individuals and uncover important stories like Traveller’s.
If you’ve spotted common dolphins (especially around Port Phillip or Phillip Island) and have photos, we’d love to see them! You can report your sightings through PodWatch, and help us better understand these amazing animals.
