dolphin

While looking forward to fresh food and a comfy bed, Lachlan said he would miss nights under star-filled skies and close encounters with whales, dolphins and sea birds.

"I thought maybe a tiny dolphin would be a nice way of advertising the book but my skin's too fragile so maybe I'll just get a henna one."

Following a request by a French court, an expert assessment is being carried out of Marineland's facilities and whether the orcas, and a dozen dolphins also still housed there, should be moved.

Charity Marine Connection said growing interaction with the bottlenose - which is frequently seen in the Lyme Bay area of Dorset - is becoming increasingly dangerous for both the dolphin and the public.

Chinese scientists think that the sound from ships may have contributed to the demise of the Yangtze's baiji river dolphins, which used sonar to communicate.