Six bottlenose dolphin calves, 'tursiops truncatus', were born this year, in the Sado estuary, "a record" since monitoring of this bottlenose population began, around 40 years ago.

The announcement was made by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), and reported by Notícias ao Minuto, which also stated that "with these births, there are now 30 individuals belonging to this resident population".

These calves will now be sponsored by students from the 1st cycle of the Sebastião da Gama School Group, in Setúbal, the José Maria dos Santos School Group, in Palmela, the Alcácer do Sal School Group and the Grândola School Group.

"The groups are part of the four municipalities integrated in the area of the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve, and will choose the names”.

Despite being common throughout the world, the population of bottlenose dolphins residing in Sado is unique in the country and one of only three known throughout Europe, indicates the ICNF.

Through the 'Protect the Dolphins' initiative, the institute promotes awareness-raising actions among the local population, tourists and visitors, raising awareness of the uniqueness of the population that lives there and the care to be taken when navigating when sighting and approaching dolphins.