Subscribe now

Life

Orca seen foster parenting a pilot whale calf for first time

The first documented case of cross-species parental behaviour among whales has led researchers to wonder whether a long-finned pilot whale calf was adopted or abducted by an orca

By Corryn Wetzel

8 March 2023

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Saedís, an orca, with a long-finned pilot whale calf at her side

orcaguardians.org

A long-finned pilot whale calf has been documented swimming behind the flipper of a female orca – in “echelon”, or the mother-and-calf position – for the first time. How the inter-species pair came together is unknown, leading researchers to wonder whether the calf was adopted or abducted.

In August 2021, a whale-watching tour near Snaefellsnes peninsula in West Iceland spotted a pod of three orcas with a surprise guest. Marie-Thérèse Mrusczok at the West Iceland Nature Research Centre, who was on board, saw a young…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop