A sea mammal protection society is urging fishermen and members of the public to keep a respectful distance from a female dolphin that for days has been nursing its dead calf in western Greece in an apparent display of mourning.
The Arion society said in a press release that the bottlenose dolphin has for several days been “manifesting a highly protective and mournful behavior” towards the body of the new-born youngster in the Ambracian Gulf, near the town of Arta. The calf’s cause of death was unclear.
“To show respect for the mammal’s peace of mind is an act of civilized behaviour, empathy and effective wildlife protection,” Arion said.
The society stressed that any attempt to approach the mother dolphin would cause her great stress and potentially trigger unpredictable or aggressive behaviour. Arion also warned that dolphins are protected under Greek law, which could result in legal consequences for people who interfere with them.
“Mourning among cetaceans is a documented and highly complex form of social behaviour,” the society said Wednesday. “Internationally, mother dolphins and whales have been observed staying beside their dead calves for days, weeks or even months, carrying them or staying beside them before they abandon them.”
