A dolphin from Perth, Australia, named Fraggle is going viral, and for a very heartbreaking reason. Drone footage shows her carrying her dead calf on her back for six consecutive days. The video has broken hearts online and has highlighted how animals process grief.
Viral Video Shows Dolphin Mourning The Loss Of Her Calf
The heartbreaking video was posted on Instagram by Geographe Marine Research. A few days ago, they found a dolphin named Fraggle mourning the loss of her calf, who was born only two weeks earlier. She had already lost three calves in the past, and this recent one was her chance to become a mother. But sadly, that could not happen.
The recent calf apparently had a very low survival rate. Experts from the Leschenault Estuary, a lagoon in Western Australia where the dolphin lives, had witnessed a very high respiratory rate in it. And yes, they knew that the day was coming when the dolphin would lose this calf too. Other dolphins from the lagoon were also seen in the video swimming beside her to give Fraggle emotional support. But why do dolphins refuse to carry away their dead calves?
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What Is Mourning Among Dolphins?
You would be surprised to know that this phenomenon is quite common and is called ‘mourning ‘. It is a behaviour where dolphins display distress, protection and a refusal to abandon their calves or pod mates. According to The New York Times, different types of dolphins are known to carry their dead offspring for days and even weeks. This is their way of grieving. They carry the dead calf until a time comes when they must let it go and feed themselves to survive.
Groups of cetaceans, which include dolphins and whales, are known for their strong emotional bonds with one another, and that bond continues even after death. In 2018, an orca named Tahlequah was seen carrying her dead calf near British Columbia for more than two weeks over a thousand miles. According to The New York Times, experts believe that mothers like Fraggle and Tahlequah were not ready to let go and wanted to maintain contact with the body. Surprisingly, carrying a calf on the back is not easy and shows a strong motivation on their part.
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The video is definitely heartbreaking. We hope Fraggle takes care of herself and gets an opportunity to become the mother of a healthy calf in the future.
Cover Image Courtesy: Geographe Marine Research/Instagram
FAQs
What is mourning in dolphins?
Mourning is when dolphins continue carrying or protecting a dead calf or pod mate after death.