The dolphin that has been continuously sighted in Gangneung Harbor, South Korea, since last summer has officially been identified as a Southern Right Whale Dolphin, an endangered species. The National Fisheries Research Institute announced on November 11 that field studies revealed the dolphin was a juvenile of this species, previously thought to be a larger dolphin. This sighting is significant as Southern Right Whale Dolphins are known to inhabit waters near Jeju Island, with this being the first confirmed instance of them being found elsewhere in Korean waters.

Typically, Southern Right Whale Dolphins live in small groups of about 5-15 individuals, but can also be seen in larger pods when food is abundant. These dolphins prefer shallow coastal waters typically under 100 meters deep. Researcher Park Gyeom-jun noted that while there is a possibility the solitary dolphin, affectionately named 'Anmok-i', may have separated from its group to explore, it is still unclear whether it belongs to the population near Jeju or may have strayed from groupings in southwestern Japan.

Climate change may be impacting the distribution of this species, as warmer ocean temperatures could lead to northern migrations. However, there is no conclusive evidence supporting such changes yet. Park remarked that despite Southern Right Whale Dolphins favoring warmer waters, the single individual observed in Gangneung Harbor does not provide strong evidence for a range extension at this time. Currently, Anmok-i has been seen interacting with boats and humans, hinting at its adaptability and curiosity about its new surroundings.