For more than ten months, a solitary Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin became an unexpected fixture off the coast of Gangneung Port, South Korea. Nicknamed 'Anmoki', this young male dolphin, estimated to be between three and five years old and weighing approximately 130 kilograms, captured the attention and concern of residents, marine experts, and environmental organizations alike. But on July 15, 2026, after a series of close calls and mounting risks, Anmoki’s solitary chapter at Gangneung came to a dramatic end with a carefully orchestrated rescue operation.
According to YTN, Anmoki had been living alone in the waters near Gangneung Port for over ten months. His presence was first noted in the summer of the previous year, and he quickly became a local celebrity, with sightings shared widely across social media platforms. Unlike most wild dolphins, Anmoki displayed strikingly friendly behavior toward humans and boats. He was often seen swimming alongside vessels, rubbing his body against hulls, and even spending time with divers in the area. While this sociable nature delighted onlookers, it soon raised red flags among marine experts.
The core of the concern was Anmoki’s growing disregard for the dangers posed by human activity and boats. As reported by Edaily, Anmoki developed a habit of swimming dangerously close to boat propellers. Over time, this led to visible wounds on his body—injuries that appeared to worsen as months went by. Observers noted that some of these injuries were severe, with patches of flesh missing, likely due to repeated collisions with boat hulls and propellers.
Initially, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) hoped that Anmoki would eventually leave Gangneung’s waters and rejoin a dolphin pod on his own. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is typically found in groups, with a population of around 120 known to inhabit the waters off Jeju Island. Yet, Anmoki’s solitary status was unique—no other dolphin had been recorded living alone in Korean waters outside of Jeju, according to YTN. As his wounds worsened and his risky behavior persisted, concerns mounted that he could die from his injuries or from increased stress.
Faced with these mounting risks, the MOF, in coordination with affiliated agencies and the Korea Coast Guard, made the decision to intervene. The rescue operation, originally scheduled for July 16, was moved up by a day when Anmoki entered a designated containment area at the Gangneung Yacht Marina on July 14. As described by Kangwon Domin Ilbo, divers and rescue workers entered the water, gradually narrowing nets to guide Anmoki into a smaller space. Once contained, divers carefully lifted him onto a stretcher, ensuring minimal stress and injury during the process. The dolphin was then transferred into a transport tank and loaded onto a vibration-free special vehicle for the journey to Ulsan.
Throughout the operation, a veterinarian accompanied Anmoki, monitoring his condition and preparing for any signs of shock or acute stress. As one team leader from the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea told YTN, “There is still a high risk of mortality from shock or stress during transport and transfer to the tank, so we cannot consider this process complete yet.” Upon arrival in Ulsan, Anmoki was slated to receive a thorough medical examination and treatment for his wounds in a dedicated 1,500-ton tank at the Whale Ecological Experience Center.
The rescue drew attention from both the public and the scientific community. Environmental group Hotpink Dolphins released a statement highlighting the unusual nature of Anmoki’s behavior. They noted that while solitary, sociable dolphins have been observed elsewhere, Anmoki’s case was distinct. The group relayed concerns from British researcher Liz Sandeman, who has studied the social behaviors of solitary dolphins. Sandeman expressed particular worry about proposals to release Anmoki into the Jeju dolphin population, citing her research: “Even if dolphins belong to the same species, if they are not from the same regional population, they are unlikely to be accepted into the pod and may remain solitary.” Hotpink Dolphins echoed this sentiment, suggesting that if genetic analysis showed Anmoki was not from the Jeju group, he should be released near Ulsan—ideally in a location with minimal human and boat interaction, referencing the precedent of another dolphin, 'Goejin', released off Ulsan in 2016.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, for its part, emphasized the careful consideration behind the rescue. A ministry spokesperson told Edaily, “We decided to proceed with the rescue after much deliberation, given that Anmoki had become too accustomed to humans and his injuries could worsen. We approached the operation with caution, consulting closely with experts to ensure Anmoki would not be startled.” The ministry also indicated that, following treatment and a period of rehabilitation aimed at restoring Anmoki’s wild instincts, a final decision about his release location would be made in consultation with both domestic and international experts.
As Anmoki began his recovery in Ulsan, hopes ran high that he would regain his health and ultimately return to the wild. Hotpink Dolphins expressed their wish that “Anmoki, after receiving treatment for his wounds and regaining his health in Ulsan, will return to the open sea and join a wild dolphin group, living a vibrant life.” The rescue not only underscored the challenges faced by solitary, sociable dolphins but also highlighted the complexities of balancing animal welfare, scientific insight, and public sentiment in wildlife management.
For now, Anmoki’s story remains unfinished. His journey from solitary celebrity to a carefully monitored patient in Ulsan is a testament to both the dangers and the possibilities that arise when human and animal worlds collide. The coming months will reveal whether Anmoki can overcome his injuries and social challenges, and perhaps, find his place once again among his own kind in the vast Korean seas.