Dead Baby Pilot Whale
September 5, 2003 (one year after the anniversary of the death of a Sperm Whale caused by a ferry boat)
09/04/2003
Yesterday, on September 4, 2003, we had amazing and touching encounters.
Our first trip was supposed to take us in a westward direction to observe 12 Orcas that had come back after leaving the first time. We enjoyed a good visibility, the ocean was very calm with no wind at all.
Still close to Tarifa's coastline a few Bottlenose Dolphins joined us while slowly swimming eastwards. Since there was a film team with an underwater camera on board we started following them. At approx. 200 meters distance we suddenly detected a mixed group of Bottlenose Dolphins and Pilot Whales. The animals were swimming in an unusual way, moving up and down while staying very close together. All of a sudden the huge fluke of a Sperm Whale that had been floating between the whales and dolphins could be seen before it disappeared under the surface. The surprise was very pleasant since we had neither seen any blows nor had we expected to come across this wonderful animal. Together with the Sperm Whale the Bottlenose Dolphins and the Pilot Whales left the scene. After this breathtaking happening we approached the spot where there was nothing to see anymore. Soon the Bottlenose Dolphins and the Pilot Whales were back to socialize and play around the boat.
After another 20 minutes something totally unexpected occurred. Four Sperm Whales emerged next to our boat and brought themselves into a star-shaped position, sticking their heads together. That is supposed to be typical behaviour when protecting something. Again they were accompanied by Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins. We were able to videotape this spectacular moment. The animals stayed so close that we had to back up to avoid a collision. We could observe the Sperm Whales taking restless and deep breaths, a very unusual attitude during their recovering phase. Without any warning they started diving down after 10 to 15, again followed by the Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins. Overwhelmed, we left the scene and made our way back to Tarifa.
Our following trip led us to the same place where we came across the same group of Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins. They seemed to be resting and observing the events under the surface. We kept a respectable distance when six adult Pilot Whales approached the boat making loud whistling noises. They started swimming along the boat, looking up before swimming away again.
In order to balance the boat I moved to the opposite side when, totally unexpected, a female Pilot Whale showed up turning her stomach in my direction. I could see the remaining bit of an umbilical cord and some blood marks. She left very slowly letting me see the sore genitals and her fluke. I got extremely upset knowing that something was not quite well. I made my way to the back of the boat where I met the six adult Pilot Whales, again whistling in a rather unhappy way.
At the same time I saw the dam swimming towards me holding a broad something in her mouth. At first I figured that she was showing me a fish, but then I realized that she carried a dead baby whale. She swam along the boat so that everyone could see it. The entire group swam away from the boat, returning only an instant later. Passing me again they touched the boat with their bodies and I got another glimpse of the baby. Then the dam led the other Pilot Whales away from the boat.
The situation was nearly unbearable, and it will take a while for us to cope with it.
Tarifa, 5. Sept. 2003
Katharina Heyer
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