NEWS
Nova Atlantis Foundation
Nova Atlantis Foundation (www.nova-atlantis.org) is a research institute, based on Pico island, at the Azores. By conducting scientific research, the foundation aims to contribute to the conservation of the cetaceans of the Azores and their habitat.
Last week we witnessed the kidnapping of a young female Risso’s dolphin by a subset of a large group of Atlantic (offshore) bottlenose dolphins.
While we were observing a group of around 8 juveniles mixed with sub-adult Risso’s dolphins, a field with ‘big blows” entered the area. About 12 large Tursiops approached the Risso’s and started to chase them. After 15 minutes they successfully separated one female, and started a multiple mating event. But first she was beaten, bitten and exhausted by the male bottlenose dolphins. There was blood in the water and the female tried to escape but was blocked by the males.
All in all, the Tursiops males assaulted the Risso’s female for more than an hour. The rest of the bottlenose dolphins’ group stayed at some distance, but as soon as they started travelling towards the south-west the bullies left the Risso’s dolphin, one by one. We followed the completely exhausted animal for 45 minutes at a respectful distance. Slowly, she was recovering and coming back to life. We left her alone and were a bit surprised that she did not merge with her former mates, who apparently had ‘left the building’.
Bottlenose dolphins are renowned for their aggressive consortships. Possible hybrids between Tursiops and Grampus have been observed in Scotland. Let’s see what comes out of this crazy event.
Here are some pictures, video is next.
#grampus #tursiopstruncatus #interspecific #mixedspecies #mating #hybrid #socialbehaviour #aggressive
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Due to the great weather conditions, we had a super strong start of June, with so far 33 pods of Risso’s encountered and 8 other species observed at sea. We were thrilled to spend some minutes with two rare Kogia’s, followed by Blainville’s beaked whales who popped up at the same spot! We also saw Humpback whales, and Sperm whales super close to shore -socialising and nose hopping. Sneaky Sei whales have been passing by and the usual suspects appeared in large numbers (common, striped and bottlenose dolphins). Some days on land will be needed to get through the vast pile of data collected!
#fieldwork
#datacollection
#rissoproject
#cetaceansplanet #cetaceanresearch #marinemammals #hotspot #MPA #grampus #rissosdolphin #spermwhale #KOGIA #humpbackwhale #blainvillesbeakedwhale #mesoplodon #seiwhales #baleenwhale #photoid
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The third Keep on Gramping Workshop took place on May 12 at Ponta Delgada. More than 30 Risso's researchers attended the workshop, sharing their latest findings and discussing current trends in the NE Atlantic region and the Med. Sea. To be continued!
We were able to collect some data during the first week of May on Pico on board of a local whale watch company. Back again since yesterday and hopefully we will be running soon with our own vessel " Moleiro”. KOG!
Here are some captured moments of events from May 2025!
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