Spinner dolphin pod in the Red Sea, Marsa Alam, Egypt

Swim wild, swim free. World Dolphin Day

With lifelong bonds, signature whistles and echolocation, dolphins are more than just smart swimmers. First observed in 2022, World Dolphin Day shines a light on these intelligent marine mammals and the oceans they rely on. Over 40 dolphin species swim our seas, from the Māui dolphin to the Irrawaddy dolphin. They're expert navigators, problem-solvers and team players. Some even form superpods—temporary gatherings of hundreds or thousands of dolphins moving together offshore.

Off the coast of Marsa Alam in Egypt, pods of spinner dolphins glide through the warm waters of the Red Sea—as seen in today's image. True to their name, they can leap and spin in the air up to seven times in a single jump. Found in tropical waters across the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, they rest during the day in calm bays and hunt offshore at night.

India is home to several freshwater species like the endangered Gangetic river dolphin. Threats such as polluted waters, shrinking habitats and accidental entanglement in fishing nets put their survival at risk. To turn the tide, India has rolled out dedicated conservation measures, most notably the 'Project Dolphin' initiative, aimed at safeguarding their natural homes and securing their future.