Year round resident dolphins and migrant calving humpback whales call these waters “home”.

over 20 species of whales and dolphins can be found in the waters of costa rica.

Various species visit, yet two species of dolphins reside in the Golfo Dulce throughout the year — Bottlenose and Pantropical Spotted. These playful creatures rely on plentiful food sources and safety offered by the semi-enclosed gulf.

This area is also the only place in the world where both northern and southern populations of humpback whales come to have their calves. Given this unique opportunity to learn, researchers and volunteers with Osa Ecology recently began collecting audio and visual data, offering new insights into whale behavior and population numbers.

We have a particular interest in assessing the reproductive output and general survivability of these species, at varying stages of their lives. However the Golfo Dulce itself and the species which inhabit it are continually under threat — increased boat activity, offshore fishing operations, and agricultural runoff to name only a few.

Through collecting data in the Golfo Dulce about these beautiful creatures, we can generate information about ecosystem health and wildlife ecology. This can then be used by students, marine biologists, and affiliated conservation efforts to support government regulation and offer guidance to the community toward wise, sustainable behaviors.