A video of a female bottlenose dolphin in Western Australia carrying her dead calf for several days has gone viral on social media, touching millions of viewers.
According to media reports, researchers at the Leschenault Estuary in Western Australia observed a female dolphin named Fragile carrying her approximately two-week-old dead calf through the water, supporting it with her snout and body for several days.
Researchers said that Fragile had previously lost her last four calves.
According to the marine research organization Geographe Marine Research, the calf was born during winter and showed abnormally rapid breathing in its early days, indicating that its chances of survival were already very low.
Even after the calf died, Fragile continued carrying it for six days. During this time, other dolphins remained close to her and were seen swimming alongside her.
Researchers noted that this is not the first time such behavior has been documented in dolphins. Scientific observations show that female dolphins may carry their dead calves for hours or even several days.
Experts believe this behavior may be an expression of grief, maternal love, or the strong bond between a mother and her offspring. However, the exact scientific explanation remains unclear.
After the video surfaced, thousands of social media users described Fragile’s behavior as a powerful symbol of a mother’s love and grief.
On X, a user named Pat described the viral footage as “heartbreaking and deeply moving,” writing: “Fragile has lost her fourth calf. Other dolphins gathered around her. It’s a reminder that love, grief, and family bonds are not unique to humans.”
Another user wrote: “This broke my heart. A mother’s grief is not something only humans experience.”
A different commenter said: “This video reminds us that animals also experience deep emotions and mourn the loss of their loved ones.”
One user remarked: “If a dolphin can feel such pain for her calf, we should also recognize and respect the emotional lives of animals.”
Another wrote: “This scene is incredibly sad, yet beautiful. The animal world is also filled with love, emotion, and intelligence.”
Many other users echoed similar sentiments, saying the incident serves as a reminder that animals, like humans, form deep bonds with their young, grieve their loss, and express their emotions in different ways.