Eleven female sperm whales worked together to support a newborn calf during its first moments of life off the coast of Dominica [1].
The event provides rare evidence of inter-family cooperation among sperm whales, suggesting a level of social complexity and altruism that extends beyond a single matrilineal group.
On the morning of July 8, 2023 [1], researchers captured video of the whales in the Caribbean Sea [2]. The group consisted of 11 adult females [1] belonging to two different family lines. The whales were observed cooperatively lifting the newborn calf to the surface and taking turns supporting it so the calf could breathe [3].
This behavior is significant because sperm whale societies are typically organized around strict matrilines. The footage shows whales from separate family lines collaborating to ensure the survival of a calf that was not necessarily their own direct offspring [3].
Initial interpretations of the scene varied among observers. Some researchers said they initially thought they were witnessing a shark attack on a group of sperm whales [4]. However, further analysis of the footage confirmed that the adults were actually protecting and assisting the newborn [4].
The cooperation involved a coordinated effort to keep the calf buoyant. By rotating their positions, the adult females ensured the calf remained at the surface for necessary air intake during its first moments after birth [3].
This observation was documented by researchers, including those from Project CETI, who utilize advanced technology to study whale communication and social structures [5]. The recording captures a biological process that is rarely seen in the wild due to the deep-diving nature of the species [2].
“Eleven female sperm whales from two different family lines worked together to help a newborn calf breathe.”
This event challenges previous understandings of sperm whale social structures by demonstrating that cooperation can occur across different matrilines. The act of assisting a calf from another family line suggests a broader community-based survival strategy, indicating that these marine mammals possess complex social bonds and a shared instinct for calf protection that transcends immediate kinship.
