Dead porpoises have washed up in the last year off the coast of California, and until scientists caught the attacks on video, they were unsure who or what was killing them. But now they are able to prove that the killers are bottlenose dolphins. 74 dead porpoises have shown up on the shore with broken bones and internal bleeding.
Okeanis Chief Scientist Daniela Maldini said that they have seen several severe attacks of dolphins killing the porpoises.
The video shows male dolphins attacking the porpoise, and attempting to drown it, then they bring the dead porpoises to the researchers on the boat and swim away. Scientists are trying to determine why they are doing it and more research is needed. Maddini said that the answer could be possible sexual frustration for male dolphins and they would like to test for elevated testosterone levels.
The video below was taken by researchers Barbara Scoles and Mark P. Cotter (taken under NOAA Permit # 877-1831) and shows bottle-nosed dolphins attacking a porpoise in Monterey Bay.
KTVU ran a story about the attacks over the weekend and the video has created an internet buzz this morning because people are curious about why dolphins who seem to be a mild creature would attack and kill another living creature. KTVU has a video of detailed photos of several dolphin attacks, click here to view the story.
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