Dolphin Diaries: Orphans and Preemies

Dolphin Explorer LLC is the proprietor of the 10,000 Island Dolphin Study Program, monitoring the travel range, abundance, social behavior, feeding habits, health and well-being of the local bottlenose dolphin population around Marco Island, Florida, since 2006. The study continues….

Any given day on board the Dolphin Explorer can bring a surprise or two for the dolphin study team. Having been involved in two dolphin rescues, and a few more close calls, you never know what will be found in the waters.

From 2018 through 2021 the team has logged sightings of 33 newborn calves in our area with 28 of them surviving. There are predators in the waters here and not every young calf reaches adulthood. Once in a while, something different will be noticed that deserves special attention. Here are two of those stories.

On May 16th of this year, one of our adult females was seen at 10:45 AM with something draped across her rostrum (that extended bottle nose our dolphins have). At first it seemed to be a Sea Hare which has no skeletal structure and was laying over the front of this female named MT2. She would bring it to the surface, push it around and then release it to the bottom. MT2 did this several times. 

We took photos of her actions and eventually realized that it was not another sea animal, but a young, premature dolphin. MT2 was on the team’s list as a potential to give birth this coming fall, which is the primary birthing season in our area. Our Marine Biologist, James, suggested that the young one looked to be about seven months in development. A second source was in agreement with the age estimate. This would make sense, since full term for a dolphin is twelve months, indicating a fall birth.

In a behavior typical of dolphins and other cetaceans, MT2 carried the young one across her rostrum for a few days before letting go. Dolphins do grieve, and this behavior is very common when a female loses a calf. In the afternoon of May 16th, several other females were by MT2, following beside her in her grief. Again, a very usual pattern during an event such as this.

The cause of stillborn dolphins can vary, and this case may go unsolved. Possible reasons might be bacteria in the water or toxins. For several years starting in 2011, quite a few young washed ashore in Alabama as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. More recently, outbreaks of the Red Tide algal bloom north of here cost the lives of hundreds of dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and other members of the sea life community.

The good news, and a very common occurrence, is that MT2 has been seen in recent days in the company of several males, an indication that she may be trying to become pregnant again. We have seen this behavior many times when a female loses a calf. MT2 is a seasoned mom, with several surviving offspring and we will monitor her carefully in the coming months.

On another note, our orphan Dixon seems to be doing well. This young male’s mom, Rangle, washed ashore on December 16th of last year. At that time Dixon was only eleven months old. Typically, a calf needs milk from its mother for about eighteen months. Like other calves, Dixon had already begun fishing at that age and was seen several times a short distance from Rangle, catching fish on his own.

With no mother around, young Dixon returned to the area that mom taught him to feed, knowing a food supply was available in that location. There were hopes by the team that another female without a calf might adopt Dixon, which is a common occurrence for dolphins.

Although he has been seen in the presence of other dolphins, Dixon has remained solo for most of our sightings. He is documented on a regular basis and does not appear to be emaciated or struggling in any manner.

We helped Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to identify Rangle back in December and supplied them with her history of sixteen years. Initial toxicology reports by FWC did not determine a cause of death and we are awaiting further results.

In conclusion, not everything turns out for the best in any facet of the animal kingdom. This “Circle of Life” may have longevity for many, but short for others.

We will watch our orphan and we will diligently try to find a cause for stillborn babies in our area. The team will continue to monitor our dolphins and bring you news about this unique population. Stay tuned!