While nature can bring unexpected events and occasional surprises into our lives, we have rarely witnessed anything like this. In what is considered one of the most incredible scientific discoveries to date, scientists have obtained video footage of a wild sperm whale giving birth while other females from the same pod helped the 19-year-old Rounder whale give birth to her second calf by providing coordinated support.
The event occurred on July 8, 2023, when researchers were participating in a study and observation program aimed at better understanding sperm whale communication as part of the CETI project. The initiative involved an international collaboration of scientists studying a group of 11 sperm whales living near the island of Dominica in the Caribbean Sea.
During their observations, the scientists were able to record a 19-year-old sperm whale named Rounder giving birth to her second calf.
As reported by The Guardian, she remained surrounded by members of her module during the process.
Five hours of observation and recording
Researchers monitored the event for more than five hours from their vessel, deploying drones for aerial visualization and underwater equipment to capture acoustic data.
The results, later published in Scientific Reports and Science, represent one of the rarest documented behaviors in marine science.
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Extremely rare in cetaceans
Of the 93 known species of cetaceans – including whales, dolphins and porpoises – only nine have been observed giving birth in the wild. What made this case different was the active participation of whales that were not directly connected to the mother.
Shane Gero of the CETI project told New Scientist: “This is the first evidence of assisted birth in a non-primate. It is fascinating to see intergenerational support from a grandmother to her birthing daughter and support from other, unrelated females.”
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A carefully coordinated birth
The birth lasted approximately 34 minutes, starting when the calf’s tail first appeared and ending with its complete emergence. During this time, several adult females positioned themselves under the Rounder, often turning upside down with their heads directed towards her genital slit, seemingly to aid in childbirth.
Under the grouping around the newborn
Immediately after the cub was born, the pod’s behavior changed dramatically. The researchers observed increased activity as the whales clustered tightly around the newborn. They described how the whales “squeezed the newborn’s body between theirs, touching it with the head”, while guiding it through the water – “pushing it around, under the water and on and over their bodies above the surface”.
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In sperm whale communities, newborns quickly become the focus of the group, with other members often stepping in to care for them while the mother hunts.
The calf reappears after a year’s hiatus
After the 2023 observation, the pod disappeared from observation for over a year. The young whale was later spotted again on July 25 of the following year, swimming alongside two pups named Accra and Aurora.
The viral footage sparks a worldwide response
The video gained widespread attention after it was shared by the Associated Press, which noted, “Rare footage of a sperm whale giving birth has offered scientists a window into the behavior of these large, elusive mammals.”
Social media users were quick to react, with one calling it a “huge breakthrough for marine biology”, while others responded with simple expressions of amazement such as “wow” and “very interesting knowledge”.
