A deep-sea dolphin that has spent the summer ‘performing’ for visitors at a seaside town has boosted trade and extended the holiday season.
Folkestone has seen a boom in business after hundreds of people have flocked to the south coast to see the rare sight.
The bottlenose dolphin - nicknamed Dave by conservationists - has been swimming along the reef just 30m from the beach at Sandgate, since April and is still attracting more than 150 visitors a day.
The playful mammal, with a distinctive yellow patch on its fin, has been entertaining beach-goers since it was first spotted splashing about, and a website devoted to him has received 302,000 hits in October alone.
A Chamber of Commerce spokesmen for the town said: “We would have expected a drop in trade by now but it hasn't happened.
"Along with the mild weather, Dave has been a real boost for Folkestone."
Experts say the dolphin, with a dark blue nose, is feeding from mackerel.
Conservationist Jason Carter, from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue group, said: "He's looking in good health. He's been feeding and jumping out of the sea, so he's been looking quite good."
"Bottlenose dolphins live around the British coast but are usually found in pods of up to 12 further out to sea. They can dive down 1,000 feet and jump 20 feet above the water.
"It's actually quite rare to see them this close. We are assuming it is a male because normally dolphins swim in a pod, but sometimes males peel off for a while and go off on their own, before going back."
Caroline Chambers, manager of Channel Chamber of Commerce, said Dave had been an asset to the town and even livened up a conference for 1,000 business people in September.
She said: "These things can be a bit boring but Dave was performing for all the delegates, who were watching from the Leas Cliff Hall overlooking the bay."
Angler Simon Chandler, who set up the website, is now selling T-shirts, caps and stamps to visitors.
Any proceeds after the site costs have been covered are to be donated to the charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
POSTED: 01/11/2006 10:30:01
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