Dolphins Try to Save Dying Companion; Lending a Flipper

After the death of the dolphin that became trapped in the Gowanus Canal, more dolphin deaths are the last thing we need to hear about. Yet new research has shown that ailing dolphins may receive a helping hand--or flipper. Korean-based scientists witnessed common dolphins trying to aid a dying companion by supporting it in the water and lifting its head to help it breathe.

This behavior, which is reported in the journal Marine Mammal Science, is the first time that it has been witnessed among a large group of dolphins. That isn't to say that similar behaviors haven't been witnessed in smaller groups. In the mid-20^th Century, a bottlenose dolphin in captivity was witnessed raising her stillborn calf to the surface with her back. In other incidents, wild bottlenose dolphins have been seen supporting dead or stillborn calves near the surface.

This incident, though, is somewhat different. Kyum J Park of the Cetacean Research Institute and colleagues witnessed 10 long-beaked common dolphins trying to save another adult. The stricken dolphin appeared to have paralyzed flippers, and had red marks on its belly. About 10 of the dolphins formed a raft with their bodies to help the dolphin, while others gently nudged the dolphin from its sides and below to help it maintain its balance. One of the dolphins forming the raft even flipped over its body to better support the sick dolphin above. Another used its beak to try to keep the dying dolphin's head above water.

Although the dolphin died a few minutes later, five of the original dolphins continued rubbing and touching the body, or swimming underneath, releasing bubbles onto it.

This interaction shows that dolphins will attempt to aid a dying companion--and not just a calf. It could have future implications for behavioral studies on how dolphins interact with one another.

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