Adorable humpback dolphin named Mystique presents gifts from the bottom of the ocean to humans in exchange for a delicious meal
- A dolphin named Mystique loves to bring guests presents from the ocean floor
- The 29-year-old male dolphin offers up antique bottles, coral and shells
- The humpback dolphin is rewarded with fish for the presents he finds
A humpback dolphin has developed an adorable habit of bringing visitors treasures from the bottom of the ocean.
Mystique, a 29-year-old male dolphin, has become a firm favourite at the Barnacles Café and Dolphin Feeding centre on Queensland’s Cooloola Coast.
Eager visitors flock to see Mystique’s impressive collection of gifts retrieved from under the sea, including shells, coral and antique bottles.
Staff say they are convinced he has a collection stashed away and often brings 10 items back to shore, one after the other.
Mystique brings gifts to volunteers at the Barnacles Café and Dolphin Feeding centre on Queensland’s Cooloola Coast
The 29-year-old male dolphin brings items such as bottles, coral and shells in his beak
Volunteer feeder Lyn McPherson told ABC that Mystique developed his generous habit without any training from staff, but they now reward him with a tasty fish treat for his efforts.
‘He gets under it [and] if he drops it too far out, or we say “come on, that’s not good enough”, then he gets underneath it and brings it to us,’ she said.
‘We swear he has a collection waiting to bring to us.’
Mystique is one seven dolphins in his pod but is the only one to hunt for presents, though he is often accompanied by another male dolphin trying his luck for treats.
Some of Mystique’s deep-sea finds include timber, shells and wood, which he masterfully balances on his beak.
Staff say Mystique, who has lived in Tin Can Bay since 1991, increased his treasure hunting behaviour during the coronavirus pandemic after the centre was shuttered amid lockdown measures.
The business reopened on May 16, meaning its 200 daily visitors can now again witness the treasures Mystique has to offer.
He is one of seven dolphins in his pod but the only one to hunt for presents
A video from the Tin Can Bay centre shows excited visitors given the chance to feed the dolphins as they gently swim towards young children and delicately take fish from their hands.
Staff said that the dolphins ‘come here for the interaction with the people – not for the food’.
The centre was founded back in the early 1950s after an injured dolphin beached itself on the shore.
Locals saved the dolphin’s life by helping to feed him, and when he was well enough to fish for himself he returned to the bay.
Locals thought that was the last they would see him, but the dolphin returned with a host of other dolphins who have continued to visit the bay ever since.