Dolphins are some of the most playful and intelligent animals on our planet. Penangites are blessed to have such creatures living around our waters. There are currently four species of dolphins observed in Penang these include the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcealla brevirostris), Indo-pacific finless porpoise (Neophoceana phocaenoides), Indopacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) and Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus). Join us to learn more about dolphins and how you can help to preserve and conserve their existence.

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About the Speaker

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Dr. Leela Rajamani  graduated in 2009 with a Ph.D. on dugong and seagrass conservation and has been working with marine mammals since 2002. She is currently Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her key interests include dugong, seagrass and dolphin ecology and conservation and involving local communities in the research, conservation and management of marine mammals. Notable appointments include being a Member of the IUCN-SSC Sirenian Specialist Group, Visiting Scholar at James Cook University and participating in the global GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation project from 2015 to 2018. She is currently working on an ecological project on inshore dolphins in Penang and on a new project on offshore marine mammals in Sabah. Her aim is to inform a balanced and equitable approach to the management of coastal and marine resources.