scientist recently discovered extremely unusual behavior in bottlenose dolphins attacking young manatees.
According to a new study published in the journal PLOS One, this fascinating phenomenon has been recorded 10 times over a period of more than two decades, with most incidents occurring in the last eight years.
Scientists are trying to understand the motivations of dolphins
These fascinating incidents were witnessed on the coast of Belize South Americabetween the years 1999 and 2020.
Bottlenose dolphins, known for their sociability and intelligence, have been observed attacking both orphaned calves and those with their mothers.
These encounters resulted in serious injuries, including bite wounds and tooth marks to the manatees, with a calf dying in one case.
Manatee and her baby Image: Wiki Commons/Reproduction
The study highlights that while injuries to manatees are evident, the exact reason for these attacks remains a mystery.
Interactions range from aggressive behavior to possible attempts at alloparental care Dolphins They may be behaving in a friendly manner and showing some form of care for the baby manatees.
But the ongoing aggression raises questions about whether dolphins are actually trying to harm baby manatees, for reasons that are still mysterious to most scientists in the field.
Future research is essential
The researchers suspect that aggression may be the result of competition for food or other resources, as bottlenose dolphins are known to act aggressively toward other species that share their range.
Other possible motives include attempts to kidnap or steal calves, behaviors that have already been observed in other dolphins.
Although further research is needed to fully understand this phenomenon and their drivers, scientists are calling for additional investigations, including necropsies and detailed examinations, to find out what really drives these aggressive behaviors in dolphins and manatees.