SHELDON WILLIAMS, STAR Writer

Regular sightings of dolphins in the Hunts Bay Canal close to the Causeway bridge in Portmore has been creating quite a stir among persons who have never seen the marine mammals up close and in the wild before.

For most Jamaicans, the closest they have ever been to a dolphin before seeing them in the canal is by watching the Discovery Channel or ,for those who can afford it, visiting marine attractions where the mammals are kept.

Information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that pods of dolphins continue to be seen in the said area, mainly by motorists, who are left in amazement as they view the mammals as they swim about in and around the water close to the bridge.

"Wow, I just pass two dolphins in the waters by the Portmore causeway, the entire bus was in amazement," a man who was a passenger aboard a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus at the time commented on social networking site, Facebook.

When his 'tale' was met with disbelief, he quickly assured those who did not believe him, " yes, it for real and it's not the first time I am seeing them. It was so quick that I did not get to take a pic."

The following day, THE WEEKEND STAR witnessed passengers aboard another JUTC bus who seemed excited as they looked curiously through the bus' window, as they anticipated the sightings of more dolphins.

"See one deh ... see one deh," a male passenger shouted as heads quickly turned in the direction to which he was pointing.

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However, faces were soon left disappointed as he said, "or anno one that, maybe a one shark," which amused the bus.

Natalie Fearon, manager for public education and corporate communication at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), confirmed that her office has received reports of dolphin sightings in that area last week.

Fearon explained to THE WEEKEND STAR that, "NEPA is aware of the dolphins in the Hunts Bay Area.It's typical for them to be there ... they are simply moving around to feed ... they'll go where food is. My understanding is that they move to that area at a particular time of the day,".

At the same time, Fearon advised that the dolphins are not to be disturbed, even though they are friendly creatures.

"We are encouraging people to let them be ... even though they are friendly animals. Dolphins will put on a show and do anything to get your attention," she elaborated.