Earthwatch scientists capture dolphin attack on camera

Earthwatch scientists in Scotland witnessed a rare sighting this month when an adult male bottlenose dolphin attacked a newborn calf, driving it apart from its mother.

Dr Kevin Robinson of the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit (CRRU), who is carrying out Earthwatch-supported research in the Moray Firth, captured the attack in a sequence of shocking photographs. The episode on 15 September lasted for around seven minutes, during which time the adult dolphin violently separated the newborn calf from its mother, dragging the calf away. The calf was then lifted to the surface of the water by its protective mother, before being pounded by the male, held beneath the water, and then once again driven away from its mother.

Dr Robinson said: "Whilst infanticide in the Moray Firth population has been well reported by co-workers from the University of Aberdeen and the Scottish Agricultural College - and is thought to be the main reason for the high incidence of inter-specific attacks on harbour porpoises in this region - there are in fact very few incidental observations of such intra-specific aggressive behaviour in this species."

He added: "However, we found ourselves in a quite unique position, as such an attack happened right under our noses and we were subsequently able to witness and document first-hand a ‘count by count' account of the incident."

Although still alive several hours after the event, the young calf appeared to have sustained significant injuries from the attack, and Dr Robinson feared it might not survive. Fortunately, however, the calf was still alive the following day and was once again photographed with its mother.

"Bottlenose dolphins are undoubtedly an extremely robust species, and it is clear from the large number of calves showing malformations in this Moray Firth population that they may indeed be able to survive such blunt trauma impacts to attain adulthood," said Dr. Robinson.

Earthwatch has supported Dr Robinson's research in the Moray Firth for four years. The Moray Firth contains one of only two known resident populations of bottlenose dolphins in British waters. The CRRU's annual monitoring programme aims to define the key sites used by these dolphins and the influences (for example, such as prey distribution) which affect their distribution. The research also aims to study the social organisation of the dolphins, as well as monitor the reproductive success of adult dolphins and the survival rates of calves.

Editor's notes:

CRRU
Established in 1997, the CRRU is a small non-profit dedicated to the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Scottish waters through scientific investigation, environmental education, and the provision of professional veterinary assistance to sick, stranded and injured individuals.

Earthwatch