Fungie the dolphin is missing - Or is he?

quokula · 19-10-2020 11:08am

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

Has anyone actually taken one of the boat trips out to see him?
did it a few years back and it was honestly one of the most surreal things I ever did, there were 3 or 4 boats with tourists on them, and then one smaller boat with a lad hanging off the back, doing fast turns and splashing the water in an attempt to get the dolphins attention, but it felt more like he was being corralled. Both myself an they wife both felt a bit uncomfortable about the whole thing afterwards, it felt a bit more like we were harassing the dolphin rather than observing him.

I've done it. It was fairly surreal alright. Never seemed like they were corralling him in the slightest though, he was swimming about, diving down and coming back to the surface wherever the hell he wanted, while a whole fleet of far less agile boats desperately tried to follow him like some kind of Benny Hill sketch. Occasionally he jumped up next to one of the boats but it seemed very much on his terms, he was well easily capable of diving under the water then popping up 30 seconds later on the opposite side of the bay. The boats couldn't control his movements if they wanted to.

I also did some reading up on it at the time, there's been about half a dozen similar dolphins around the world known to have made their home in bays near humans. Fungi is the only one that didn't end badly, mainly due to strict rules that were maintained around not feeding him, not letting lots of people in the water with him, and basically leaving him to live as a proper wild animal. Other examples tried to pen them in, or lure them to spots that were better for viewing, or have loads of tourists swim with the dolphins, all of which ended up with the dolphins acting aggressively towards people who were invading their space.

Found an article on it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south/series1/lone-dolphins.shtml

WhenPigsCry · 19-10-2020 11:17am

Some people must have a low threshold for surrealism. I went to see Fungi on a boat piloted by a chicken and a pink dolphin leapt from a rainbow coloured sea and transformed into a giant skull before our eyes.

10000maniacs · 19-10-2020 11:20am

Pretty daft basing a whole industry on a dolphin. He's 45 years old. Probably died of old age.

bertiebomber · 19-10-2020 11:38am

Maybe funghi just buggered off with a recent visiting pod or was eaten by a whale also visiting.;
All they are worried about is their dollars in kerry - ireland has very little empathy for any money making animal: farm animals greyhounds, pet dogs, racehorses the zoo in dublin and funghi. We are a nation of users and abusers where animals are concerned. Swim away funghi and dont look back to shreiking children and greedy boatmen swim away and enjoy your life.

Outkast_IRE · 19-10-2020 11:40am

bertiebomber wrote: »

Maybe funghi just buggered off with a recent visiting pod or was eaten by a whale also visiting.;
All they are worried about is their dollars in kerry - ireland has very little empathy for any money making animal: farm animals greyhounds, pet dogs, racehorses the zoo in dublin and funghi. We are a nation of users and abusers where animals are concerned. Swim away funghi and dont look back to shreiking children and greedy boatmen swim away and enjoy your life.

You would swear he was held captive against his will !

nthclare · 19-10-2020 11:44am

The plots thickening lol

Where I fish for big pollock and bass has a recent visitation of a dolphin in a bay near Milltown Malbay in Co Clare.

This year he or she wiped out or scared off the pollock and bass, because I'm catching none in my usual hidden spot.

It's either Dusty or Orb one of the two or would fungi head to Clare

I doubt it.

Pinch Flat · 19-10-2020 12:07pm

Looks like there's a sinister development in this story

https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2020/10/19/divers-find-dolphin-mass-grave-in-dingle/

ThewhiteJesus · 19-10-2020 12:07pm

the healy rae's have him hostage in their bath until people in kerry are allowed drink and drive

SouthWesterly · 19-10-2020 12:43pm

Has anyone asked Joe? Maybe he can ask Funghi to make contact!

19-10-2020 12:47pm

I dare someone with time on your hands to ring Joe Duffy about Fungi ...

Jaysus Christ. · 19-10-2020 1:01pm

He was a little fish in a big pond.
Pissed off some of the bigger fish.
Now sleeps with the fishes.

barney shamrock · 19-10-2020 1:25pm

SouthWesterly wrote: »

Has anyone asked Joe? Maybe he can ask Funghi to make contact!

Or for his corpse to be dropped off at a presbytery?

jammiedodgers · 19-10-2020 1:31pm

6541 wrote: »

How do we know Fungie is a He ?

Disgusting the amount of people assuming Fungi's gender in this thread :mad:

barney shamrock · 19-10-2020 1:41pm

jammiedodgers wrote: »

Disgusting the amount of people assuming Fungi's gender in this thread :mad:

Indeed.

19-10-2020 1:41pm

Well, Wikipedia says he’s a he, so it must be true

Deise Vu · 19-10-2020 3:32pm

So who forgot to replace the batteries? Not like the Kerry lads to get careless with a moneyspinner.

taytobreath · 19-10-2020 3:58pm

Sorry if asked before, but how many are there of these boating companies that revolve around taking tourists out to view the dolphin?

thegills · 19-10-2020 4:50pm

Surely with such an important asset the good people of Dingle attached a tracker to Fungi?

housetypeb · 19-10-2020 7:52pm

The wake will probably be held in Dingle and should be mighty craic altogether.
The viewing and service will be held in the cannery,where world leaders, local big wigs, sushi dealers,the poor and the despondent, will unite together in common grief, and Covid, before heading off to the nearest Shebeen where sea shanties shall be sung until the break of day.
Flags at half mast and fishing nets put away for the day.

punisher5112 · 19-10-2020 9:01pm

Maybe he got a fungal infection

Tea drinker · 20-10-2020 2:53pm

SouthWesterly wrote: »

Has anyone asked Joe? Maybe he can ask Funghi to make contact!

make contact you say?

gourcuff · 20-10-2020 2:56pm

I thought Kerry was just a big theme park for the Americans, do real Irish people live there?

furiousox · 20-10-2020 3:57pm

Tuco88 · 20-10-2020 9:01pm

Its kinda sad really. What are the odds of getting a wild animal that tame with people, and attached just to the Dingle area like that again zero id say.

Its definitely a loss to the local area. Probably just old age got the fella.

Temptamperu · 20-10-2020 10:27pm

bertiebomber · 21-10-2020 10:28am

funghi is a mammal and maybe has been eaten by a bigger fish its just nature. People are so mental in the world these days is frightening its acreature its gone move on Dingle the cash cow has given you the 2 fins !!

whisky_galore · 21-10-2020 10:29am

bertiebomber wrote: »

funghi is a fish and maybe has been eaten by a bigger fish its just nature. People are so mental in the world these days is frightening its a fish its gone move on Dingle the cash cow has given you the 2 fins !!

Dolphins are mammals.

murpho999 · 21-10-2020 10:30am

bertiebomber wrote: »

funghi is a fish and maybe has been eaten by a bigger fish its just nature. People are so mental in the world these days is frightening its a fish its gone move on Dingle the cash cow has given you the 2 fins !!

Since when is a dolphin a fish?

bertiebomber · 21-10-2020 10:34am

murpho999 wrote: »

Since when is a dolphin a fish?

corrected guys my error still a bit sleepy Whoo Hoo have a good day internet police click your jackboots now........fishy wishy woo to you !

furiousox · 21-10-2020 10:38am

If fungie himself has generated a hoax disappearance to improve his social media status I will see to it that he is hung by the tail from the nearest lamp post! :cool:

murpho999 · 21-10-2020 10:39am

bertiebomber wrote: »

corrected guys my error still a bit sleepy Whoo Hoo have a good day internet police click your jackboots now........fishy wishy woo to you !

Yes saw that and it now reads funny.

I get your point though. Animal in waters for 37 years and people don't seem to accept that he most likely just naturally died.

Also, most likely never be solved as they won't find his carcass so this will just drag on.

21-10-2020 10:41am

bertiebomber wrote: »

corrected guys my error still a bit sleepy Whoo Hoo have a good day internet police click your jackboots now........fishy wishy woo to you !

Richard Hillman · 21-10-2020 10:41am

I wonder if they found him dead but don't want to tell the nation due to fears of public morale. Also they could be trying to find a replacement :pac:

Man Vs ManUre · 21-10-2020 10:43am

I have very strong evidence that Fungi has been eaten by the Loch Ness monster.

starlit · 21-10-2020 10:44am

It be sad to see him go what ever the circumstances. I've seen him a good few times over the years. Dingle won't be the same without him. It be a huge loss to Dingle. It be hard to replace him as he was very friendly.

Kimbot · 21-10-2020 10:44am

Man Vs ManUre wrote: »

I have very strong evidence that Fungi has been eaten by the Loch Ness monster.

Nah...... Fungie is the Loch Ness monster

21-10-2020 10:45am

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I wonder if they found him dead but don't want to tell the nation due to fears of public morale. Also they could be trying to find a replacement :pac:

The interviews are going on right now.

Dingle elder. 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?'
Dolphin. 'E EE EEEEE EEK'*

* 'What a bloody stupid question.'

bertiebomber · 21-10-2020 10:46am

Seaworld will be opening in Dingle soon - what a load so bollox let him go they had 30 years of exploitation and shrieking humans annoying him every day. Maybe he wants a rest now dead or alive leave him be, drop the story if he comes back grand if not you all paid your damn mortgages on his head so be grateful and shut up now we are bored with the faux tears.
Like everything in Ireland its all the economics, tell me this why did the greyhound and race horses get the huge grants again even though the greens were against it? We dont give a flying **** about animals its only all they can earn for us. Keep going Funghi and don't stop till you reach Australia

Nexytus · 21-10-2020 10:47am

I wonder - did Fungi ever really love us at all.

Was the whole thing a lie.

Tuco88 · 21-10-2020 11:01am

Man Vs ManUre wrote: »

I have very strong evidence that Fungi has been eaten by the Loch Ness monster.

Thats about as funny as getting a stye in the eye...

I have very strong evidence that the Loch Ness Monster lives in a fresh water loch... And Fungi in the Atlantic sea a saltwater environment.

Guy knows nothin about marine life ðŸ˜

Ted_YNWA · 21-10-2020 12:20pm

Tuco88 & bertiebomber bring the petty back & forth squabbling elsewhere.

Posts deleted.

21-10-2020 12:51pm

Richard Hillman wrote: »

I wonder if they found him dead but don't want to tell the nation due to fears of public morale. Also they could be trying to find a replacement :pac:

Public morale???

ForestFire · 21-10-2020 1:12pm

So for 37 year Fungie has lived with the people of Dingle, after tragically getting disconnected from his family Pod, way back in 1983...

Fungie has had many adventures and made many friends, with his adopted Irish family, but now.....
Fungie has finally been reunited family, as they have finally return back to Ireland.

The POD has returned to the Dingle area again, after their long journey around the world, always on the lookout for their missing friend...

It's time for Fungie to say goodbye to his Irish friends as he swims out to sea, together with his long lost family, for many more adventures to come...but he will never forget the people that took care of him all these years....

Farwell good friend....

And that's my story and I'm sticking to it......

Nexytus · 21-10-2020 1:56pm

ForestFire wrote: »

So for 37 year Fungie has lived with the people of Dingle, after tragically getting disconnected from his family Pod, way back in 1983...

Fungie has had many adventures and made many friends, with his adopted Irish family, but now.....
Fungie has finally been reunited family, as they have finally return back to Ireland.

The POD has returned to the Dingle area again, after their long journey around the world, always on the lookout for their missing friend...

It's time for Fungie to say goodbye to his Irish friends as he swims out to sea, together with his long lost family, for many more adventures to come...but he will never forget the people that took care of him all these years....

Farwell good friend....

And that's my story and I'm sticking to it......

That's a copyright infringement of An American Tail

21-10-2020 2:53pm

Fungi has been replaced several times over.

21-10-2020 2:55pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Fungi has been replaced several times over.

And Neil Armstrong never stood on the moon. Riiiight.

GhostyMcGhost · 21-10-2020 3:00pm

bertiebomber wrote: »

Seaworld will be opening in Dingle soon - what a load so bollox let him go they had 30 years of exploitation and shrieking humans annoying him every day. Maybe he wants a rest now dead or alive leave him be, drop the story if he comes back grand if not you all paid your damn mortgages on his head so be grateful and shut up now we are bored with the faux tears.
Like everything in Ireland its all the economics, tell me this why did the greyhound and race horses get the huge grants again even though the greens were against it? We dont give a flying **** about animals its only all they can earn for us. Keep going Funghi and don't stop till you reach Australia

As salty as the sea itself....

Man Vs ManUre · 21-10-2020 3:09pm

Perhaps he has just gone for a long swim?? I know a fella in Fiji who said he saw a dolphin in the waters today, asked him to describe him and it was uncanny how similar he sounded.

bertiebomber · 21-10-2020 4:54pm

funghi went to scotland
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8862611/Dolphins-surround-kayakers-Scottish-loch.html

Mules · 21-10-2020 4:58pm

I was reading that one of the boat operators said that if he's gone off it might be because of the changes in his routine this year. He hadn't people coming to see him for months during lockdown so that was a big change.

Then a marine biologist said he was near the end of his normal lifespan anyway and would have found eating more difficult and may have died from an infection as apparently that happens elderly dolphins. I'd say it will stay a mystery.

Fungie the dolphin is missing - Or is he?

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