#MarineWildlife - Dusty the dolphin has found a new home at Inis Oírr in the Aran Islands, prompting a local campaign to warn locals and visitors alike of the potential dangers of swimming with the unpredictable cetacean.

Previously known as a gregarious bottlenose dolphin with "no fear of humans", according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's (IWDG) executive officer Dr Simon Berrow, Dusty - also sometimes called Sandy - was the subject of controversy last summer after a series of incidents in which she 'attacked' swimmers in her previous home turf of Doolin Harbour in Co Clare.

In recent months, however, she has relocated across Galway Bay ahead of planned blasting works at Doolin, and is now a regular attraction at Inis Oírr's popular sandy beach.

Amid concerns that bathers at the beach may be injured in encounters with Dusty, the IWDG attended a local meeting on the island to determine the best course of action.

"The island welcomes all visitors, including Sandy, but does not want any harm to come to anybody," says Dr Berrow.

In other news, the IWDG's research vessel Celtic Mist has embarked on a two-week survey of bottlenose dolphin off the North West between Donegal and Galway.

The waters of this region "are very important habitats for this highly mobile coastal population," says the IWDG, noting that it "uses all Irish coastal waters from the west east, south and north coasts, including Northern Ireland.

"It is likely that this highly mobile population is actually quite small with maybe just a few hundred individuals. It is essential to understand this population, its habitat use, movements and population dynamics."

The IWDG has more on the story HERE.