New Zealand Ocean Group Watches in Amazement as Bottlenose Dolphin Adopts Baby Whale

Earlier this year, researchers in Paihia, 🇳🇿New Zealand, spotted something interesting as they observed a mixed group of whales and dolphins swimming.

There were several species present, but in a surprise to those watching in February, two species seemed to stick together.

The Far Out Ocean Research Collective shared photos along with their observations on Facebook.

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“An interesting observation of an adult oceanic bottlenose dolphin with a new-born long-finned pilot whale off north-eastern 🇳🇿New Zealand,” they shared on April 9.

“Earlier in the day, the dolphin was part of a mixed-species group of false killer whales, pilot whales and oceanic bottlenose dolphins.

“However, these photos were taken several hours after the pilot whales had left the group. The bottlenose dolphin is a well-known member of the offshore population. We are processing a lot of photos from recent encounters at the moment and it will be interesting to see if the calf remained with its adoptive mother.

“Bottlenose dolphins are known to occasionally acquire calves of other species but the reasons behind this are still not fully understood.”