The Freshwater Bottlenose Dolphin is making a comeback in the Great Lakes. The species was listed as endangered in the 1960s as a result of over fishing. Sightings of the rare dolphins are on the rise, and scientists say that the population is nearing 2000 dolphins.

A report released last week from The Great Lakes Fish and Water Quality Society says, in the 1960s there were less than 100 of the dolphins in Lake Michigan. Numbers are on the rise, and sightings have extended from the Straights of Mackinac, to the Indiana Dunes.

Mike Murphy a scientist with The Great Lakes Fish and Water Quality Society spoke with snickersee. “This is really exciting, environmental protection laws enacted in the 1970s are working. We are going to send a team out on the lake next week to track the dolphins, see where they are mating, and their diet. This could be a boost to the lakes natural ecosystem.”

“Dolphins might be able to help us control some invasive species that are threatening the Great Lakes,” Murphy continued, “Asian carp are already in the Illinois river system, and could take over the lake. The dolphins might be able to help curb that population.”

Scientists are not the only ones excited about the dolphins.

The freshwater bottlenose dolphin has been spotted close to shore. Including in some highly congested tourist areas, such as Chicago’s Navy Pier.

“It’s wonderful, you can see the Dolphins jumping in the water a few feet from some of the boats. You would think you are on vacation at the ocean,” a tourist spending time on the pier told snickersee.

The possibilities for tourism in the City of Chicago are endless. There are talks of a boat tour to find the dolphins. This tour would join the several other popular attractions the lake has to offer. City officials hope the dolphin tour would be just as exciting as the architecture boat tour along the Chicago river.

“I love the dolphins,” a sixteen year old girl from suburban Glencoe told snickersee, “I’m hoping I can get a selfie with one of them jumping behind me for my instagram.”

New laws protecting the dolphins

State officials are working on new laws to protect the dolphins even further. While it may be tempting to catch one of the animals, it is illegal to fish for them.

Officials hope the dolphin population can spread thru the entire Great Lakes region. At one time the dolphins were seen in all of The Great Lakes. The population growth in Lake Michigan shows that one day, the fresh water bottlenose dolphin may be back to where they once had been in numbers.