Rare Risso's dolphins spotted off Hartlepool coast

The aquatic mammals were snapped in the docks area by photographer Tom Collins on Wednesday (28 Aug).

An ancient decree means that the creatures belong to King Charles, due to a rule that dates back to the 12th century.

The animals were spotted by photographer Tom Collins. (Image: TOM COLLINS/SWNS)

The reigning monarch has symbolic ownership of dolphins, whales, sturgeons, and porpoises.

Tom said: "Three of the creatures were spotted feeding opposite the PD Ports deep water berth.

"A member of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue organisation was present at the site to monitor the dolphins."

(Image: TOM COLLINS/SWNS)

King Charles III inherited thousands of dolphins from the Crown when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died in 2022.

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Risso's dolphins are protected in the United States under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1992. Currently, Japan, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and The Lesser Antilles hunt Risso's dolphins.

Risso's dolphin is named after Antoine Risso, whose study of the animal formed the basis of the recognized description by Georges Cuvier in 1812.