Viral video shows dolphin carrying dead newborn in apparent mourning
A viral video shows a mother dolphin carrying her deceased calf for six days, an act researchers identify as post-mortem attentive behavior. This behavior has been observed in various cetacean species, suggesting complex emotional responses to loss.
Why it matters
Understanding animal behavior and grief provides insight into the cognitive and emotional lives of marine mammals, which is vital for conservation efforts.
In a video going viral on the internet and capturing hearts online, a grieving mother dolphin named Fraggle carried her dead calf through the Indian Ocean for six days. Drone footage captured by Geographe Marine Research, an Australian conservation organisation, showed the mother dolphin with her newborn, which was only two weeks old.What had viewers grieving and emotional was the revelation that Fraggle had previously experienced the loss of four other calves. Other dolphins were observed joining the mother during her period of mourning. Her entire pod of 14 dolphins came to support Fraggle, named after the muppet in Fraggle Rock, riding by her side to support her through her heartbreak.Researchers noted the calf showed a high breathing rate before dying and winter births in the region are known to pose major survival hurdles, often linked to respiratory complications from cold air.
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