Abstract:
Little is known about the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins that inhabit Cowie
Bay, Sabah. Therefore, this project is expected to provide scientific
information on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin„s group size, social structure
and residence patterns in Cowie Bay, Sabah. Boat based surveys were
conducted from April 2008 to March 2009 to evaluate the status of
humpback dolphins using two methods; Peterson capture-recapture method
(using photo identification) and direct count method. Data were analysed
using statistical software and Microsoft Photo Manager. Results showed that
the humpback dolphin‟s community was small. Only three individuals were
identified and catalogued living in the bay within 1.8 – 25 meters depth of
water. The sighting rate was higher during neap tides than during spring
tides. However, the group size (Mean = 2.49) was not affected by the
different types of tides (U = 250.5, p > 0.05, r = -0.12). The community was
recorded to be socially active in the afternoon compared to morning and
evening.
