Radio Netherlands Worldwide, 24 May 2010 - 11:01am
Porpoises have established themselves in the waters of the Oosterschelde delta area in the southern province of Zeeland.
The Dutch Dorsal Foundation and the World Wide Fund for Nature held a count of the animals in the Oosterschelde on Saturday. Porpoises normally live in the open sea and the organisations say it is unique to find them established in the partially enclosed waterway.
Nine ships sailing slowly from west to east were able to sight 15 porpoises on Saturday. In September, a total of 37 including five calves were spotted. The scientists say this does not necessarily mean the population has decreased as September’s weather conditions made the animals easier to see.
