Dolphins

Wikie and Keijo represent the tragic fate of marine mammals held in parks for human entertainment. Their lives in captivity were limited and isolated, far from the expansive oceans they once could have roamed freely with their families. Orcas, known for their complex social structures and strong family bonds, are highly intelligent creatures that typically live in pods, passing down knowledge and forming deep, lifelong connections. But for these orcas, their natural behaviours were denied, replaced by confined pools, restricted social interactions, and repetitive performance routines.

Dolphin intelligence is evident in a variety of ways. They demonstrate problem-solving abilities, self-awareness, and complex social interactions. Studies have shown that dolphins can recognise themselves in mirrors, which so far has only been achieved by the most intelligent of animals. Furthermore, they can understand symbolic language and have been observed using tools. For example, they use marine sponges to protect their rostrums while foraging on the ocean floor.

The study found that dolphins displayed the open-mouthed gesture more frequently during interactions with others than when playing alone. Even more interestingly, they tended to use this gesture when their playmate could see them, suggesting that dolphins are aware of their friends’ attention and adjust their behaviour accordingly.

Established in November, this initiative marks a concerted effort to protect some of the most vulnerable dolphin species inhabiting the world’s rivers, many of which are on the brink of extinction.

The Global Declaration for River Dolphins was signed by nine countries, including Brazil, Colombia, and India, all home to river systems where these endangered species are found. This agreement is pivotal as it represents the first international commitment explicitly focusing on the conservation of river dolphins, which face habitat degradation, pollution, and fishing threats.

Originally developed for use in pesticides, paints and fire-resistant materials, POPs are highly toxic and do not easily break down in nature. These chemicals have leached into the soil, air and waterways, eventually reaching the ocean. They are absorbed by plankton at the bottom of the food chain and increase in concentration through a process known as biomagnification. As a result, marine mammals, which are at the top of the food chain, accumulate high levels of these toxins.

In a joint study, scientists found alarming concentrations of PFAS chemicals in Victoria’s critically endangered Burrunan dolphins. 

These chemicals, widely used in food packaging, firefighting foam and non-stick cookware, are sometimes called “forever chemicals” as they almost never break down in the environment. 

The Amazon River Basin, known for its rich biodiversity, has witnessed a tragic event. Over the past week, 120 river dolphin carcasses have been discovered floating in its tributaries. Experts suspect that the severe drought and extreme heat are the culprits behind this mass mortality.

Dolphin Discovery

The carcasses of these dolphins were discovered floating in a tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil. The Mamiraua Institute, a renowned research group, reported that two additional dolphins were found dead near Tefe Lake.

The study, set to be published in the October 15th issue of Environmental Pollution, has provided evidence that microscopic plastic particles, which were discovered in the fats and lungs of around two-thirds of the marine mammals investigated, are not confined to the digestive tracts of these creatures but can migrate and embed themselves in their vital tissues.

In a world where facial recognition technology is becoming commonplace, it is not just humans who are being identified. A groundbreaking study has successfully applied this technology to identify individual whales and dolphins in the wild across 24 species.

Have you ever noticed that when adults speak to babies or small children, they speak in a distinctively specific manner? As if by instinct, they speak in a high-pitched voice, with clear pronunciation and longer pauses between words.

It seems that this “baby talk” is not reserved for humans. Researchers have discovered that dolphins too indulge in baby talk—by changing their characteristic whistles and frequencies—when they communicate with their offspring.