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Video: 50 dolphins spotted in Long Island Sound

A group of about 50 bottle-nosed dolphins were spotted last week in the Long Island Sound near Tides Beach in Rocky Point, researchers confirmed Wednesday after viewing an amateur recording of the sighting posted on YouTube.

Kim Durham, rescue program director for the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, said her group believes the pack came up through the New York City area before coming into the Long Island Sound.

“The last time we received this many reports was about two years ago,” she said, adding she believes the group spotted near Rocky Point are a mix of young and adult dolphins.

There has also been recent dolphin sightings in Port Jefferson and Cold Spring Harbor, she said.

While Ms. Durham said she understands how people can become excited over seeing a group of dolphins, she wants the public to remember that these are federally protected marine mammals.

“I’ll be the first to tell you it’s really cool to see, but for your safety you don’t want to enter into the water with them because you don’t know what they’ll do,” she said. “You shouldn’t drive your boat toward them and you should kill your engine if they come up to your boat.”

Ms. Durham said it’s been difficult to research the sightings because her group has only been notified days after the dolphins have been discovered.

If you spot a dolphin, Ms. Durham asks that you report the sighting by calling (631) 369-9829.

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