Dolphin Adopts A Sad Baby Whale After Its Mother Died

“Adopting a species that is larger than them is pretty rare."

Damjan

• Published in Animals
• September 28, 2022

The discovery of a young pilot whale hanging out with a bottlenose dolphin has surprised researchers from the Far Out Ocean Research Collective in New Zealand. The little whale was adopted by the kind dolphin after it lost its mother, which is the only explanation the marine scientists have.

A situation like that may seem nearly unimaginable, yet this is not the first time a dolphin has volunteered to look after a different species. Delighted by the pair interacting as if they were family, the marine explorers posted the image online.

The newborn whale was being cared for by the bottlenose dolphin, a species that is naturally kind to other animals and humans. According to the research reports, the dolphin temporarily took on the role of adoptive mother to the whale.

“An interesting observation of an adult oceanic bottlenose dolphin with a newborn long-finned pilot whale off north-eastern New Zealand,” the group wrote on Facebook. “Earlier in the day, the dolphin was part of a mixed-species group of false killer whales, pilot whales, and oceanic bottlenose dolphins.”

Let's get to know this adorable duo better. Join us on this amazing journey. It is just what you need to get your spirits up.

Bottlenose dolphin adopts baby whale

It could be a misguided motherly instinct, or she lost her own calf,” said the marine researcher Jochen Zaeschmar.

The researchers still think there could be a purpose for the dolphin's decision to care for the lonely pilot whale, even though such behavior typically defies human explanation.

“An interesting observation of an adult oceanic bottlenose dolphin with a newborn long-finned pilot whale off north-eastern New Zealand,” the group wrote on Facebook. “Earlier in the day, the dolphin was part of a mixed-species group of false killer whales, pilot whales, and oceanic bottlenose dolphins.”

This behavior is not surprising because bottlenose dolphins are very kind

It could be a misguided motherly instinct, or she lost her own calf,” said the marine researcher Jochen Zaeschmar. “Pilot whales spend seven years with their calves. There is a good chance it will eventually join another pod of pilot whales as they often cross paths.”

Everyone at the Far Out Ocean was astonished by the adorable bond between the dolphin and the baby whale. They will however keep an eye on this peculiar relationship and make sure that both parties prosper.

“Adopting a species that is larger than them is pretty rare. Once the whale begins to grow, it will be intriguing to discover how they are connected.”

“We are hoping to re-encounter her to monitor this interesting phenomenon,” the organization said. “Adopting a species that is larger than them is pretty rare. Once the whale begins to expand, it will be intriguing to discover how they are connected.”

Although the reasons for this behavior are still not fully understood, bottlenose dolphins are known to take in calves from other species.

In the video below (that is not related to the story), a bottlenose dolphin adopts a baby whale.

“We are hoping to re-encounter her to monitor this interesting phenomenon.”

Pilot whales got their name because it was thought that a leader "piloted" each group. They are also known as "blackfish" and "pothead" whales.

They inhabit offshore and coastal waterways, including ports, bays, gulfs, estuaries, and tropical oceans. Being extremely sophisticated animals, they employ sound for both communication and food hunting.

They are among the marine mammals that have been researched the most in the wild. Additionally, because of their proximity to the shore and widespread distribution in coastal and estuary areas, they are quite common to see in the wild.

But this increases the danger of human-related harm and death to bottlenose dolphins.

Damjan