14 July 2014 Last updated at 10:06
Dolphin attacks on porpoises in Cardigan Bay have left marine scientists scratching their heads.
Three out of four attacks by bottlenose dolphins noted in recent weeks by volunteers from New Quay-based Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre were fatal.
Science officer Sarah Perry said such attacks are not unknown but it was rare to see it happening in Cardigan Bay.
The centre suggested the attacks may be over competition for food or the result of dolphin mating behaviour.
It said scientists have always known that dolphins attack porpoises but the frequency of recent attacks is a real puzzle.
In May, volunteers at the centre (CBMWC) in Ceredigion rescued a porpoise that stranded on the beach after being chased by dolphins.
Last month researchers saw three dolphins killing a porpoise, with another similar incident a week later.
Then last week three dolphins spent 20 minutes attacking a porpoise close to the centre's research vessel Anna Lloyd.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
You only need to enter your comment once! Comments will appear once they have been moderated. This is so as to stop the would-be comedian who has been spamming the comments here with inane and often offensive remarks. You know who you are!