Mother dolphins teach newborn calf to swim in rare Jeju sighting

A rare and heartwarming scene unfolded off the coast of Jeju, South Korea, where parent Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins were observed meticulously teaching their newborn calf the essential skills of swimming and breathing. The remarkable footage captured by DocuJeju and the Jeju National University's Whale and Marine Mammal Conservation Center shows the parents guiding their young offspring in the waters near Gwankot, Jocheon-eup, on the afternoon of June 5.

The dedicated parents were seen swimming with the calf positioned between them, actively assisting it. When the calf struggled, they used their snouts and heads to lift it to the surface, ensuring it could breathe. This nurturing behavior is crucial for the survival of newborn dolphins, which are born tail-first to prevent drowning in the womb and need immediate assistance to breathe upon entering the water.

Director Oh Seung-mok of DocuJeju described the encounter, stating, "After the initial sighting, the parent dolphins continuously helped the calf breathe for over 30 minutes, and also taught it how to maneuver while swimming." He noted that while seeing a calf swimming near its mother had been observed before, this was the first time such close, intimate care and instruction, with both parents flanking and supporting the calf, had been recorded.

The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is an internationally endangered species, with an estimated population of only about 120 individuals residing in the waters around Jeju Island, which serves as their only habitat in South Korea. The observed parental dedication highlights the challenges and vital importance of nurturing the next generation for this vulnerable population.