Rare ‘skunk dolphin’ encounter stuns tourist off the Falkland Islands during once-in-a-lifetime moment

For a lot of travellers, wildlife sightings come with a bit of luck and a lot of distance. A recent encounter off the Falkland Islands has caught so much attention. A tourist, out on an expedition in cold southern waters, ended up face-to-face with one of the ocean’s most elusive mammals.

The animal is known informally as the ‘skunk dolphin’. Officially called Commerson’s dolphins, these black-and-white marine mammals are hard to spot and have a relatively small wild population.

Rare ‘skunk dolphin’ sighting caught near the Falkland Islands

Rich Brand, who was off the coast of Saunders Island in the Falkland Islands when the encounter happened. He was serving as part of an expedition team with Albatros and Polar Latitudes, operating out of Denver. According to Brand, he spotted movement in the distance.

Then four dolphins appeared. They swam straight toward the boat. Brand pulled out his phone as they approached, managing to capture rare footage showing the animals’ bold black-and-white colouring and relaxed behaviour around people.

Why they are called ‘skunk dolphins’

Their bodies are sharply divided into black and white sections, giving them an appearance that reminds people of skunks or even pandas. Almost cartoon-like but in the wild, that contrast helps researchers identify individuals and track populations.

Experts say these dolphins are relatively small compared to some other species. Adults usually measure between 4 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 11 inches in length and can weigh up to 190 pounds. Their lifespan is thought to be around 25 years.

Why sightings of Commerson’s dolphins are so rare

Commerson’s dolphins mainly inhabit cold, coastal waters around southern South America. Places like Argentina, southern Chile, and the Falkland Islands with remote stretches and rough seas. According to Whale and Dolphin Conservation North America, they often approach boats and swim alongside them. The global population of Commerson’s dolphins is not considered large their limited range makes them vulnerable.