Scientists recently discovered highly unusual behavior among bottlenose dolphins, which have been attacking baby manatees.
This intriguing phenomenon has been recorded on ten occasions over more than two decades, with the majority of incidents occurring in the last eight years, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS One.
Scientists try to understand dolphins’ motivations
These intriguing incidents were observed along the coast of Belize in South Americabetween the years 1999 and 2020.
Bottlenose dolphins, known for their sociability and intelligence, have been seen attacking both orphaned calves and those with their mothers.
These encounters have resulted in serious injuries, including bite lacerations and teeth marks on the manatees, with one case leading to the death of a calf.
Manatee and its baby – Image: Wiki Commons/Reproduction
The study highlights that although injuries to manatees are evident, the exact reason behind these attacks remains a mystery.
Interactions range from aggressive behaviors to possible attempts at alloparental care, in which dolphins they may be acting in an affiliative manner and showing some form of care for the baby manatees.
However, the persistent aggression raises the question of whether dolphins are, in fact, trying to harm baby manatees for reasons still mysterious to most scientists in the field.
Future research is essential
The researchers suggest that aggression may be the result of competition for food or other resources, since bottlenose dolphins are known to act aggressively toward other species that share their range.
Other possible motivations include attempts to kidnap or steal calves, behaviors already observed in other dolphins.
Although more research is needed to fully understand this phenomenon and their drivers, scientists urge additional investigation, including necropsies and detailed assessments, to decipher what really drives these aggressive behaviors among dolphins and manatees.
