On July 3, 2020, a rare, heartwarming scene unfolded near the Canary Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. A female killer whale, known as Morgan, appeared to ‘kidnap’ a young male pilot whale calf that had been separated from its mother. The calf seemed to be in distress and Morgan was seen towing the calf with her mouth, as if to nurse it back to health.
Since the incident occurred, there has been a fierce debate among animal experts, marine biologists and conservationists regarding what exactly happened. While some are convinced the beloved orca saved the calf from certain death, others believe that Morgan simply initiated a dangerous game of tug-of-war with a vulnerable creature, potentially harming the pilot whale in the process.
The story has sparked a lot of interest and attention in the scientific community, particularly because it is the first known case of an orca engaging in cooperative care with a completely different species. This could indicate a forward progression in orca behavior, or on the other hand, it could have been a dangerous attempt at ‘play’ by the adult orca.
It appears that the calf was in danger before Morgan had arrived on the scene, although it is impossible to tell what would have happened had the orca not intervened. The calf was missing its mother and appeared to be in a distressed state. According to researchers, this calf was also very sickly and emaciated, indicative of a life-threatening illness.
At this point in time, researchers are uncertain as to what exactly induced the orca to take action and carry the calf in her mouth. It is thought that in this situation, the orca’s behaviour may have been motivated by maternal instincts or a play instinct; either of which could have resulted in catastrophic consequences. Experts believe that this was a highly unusual event, and unfortunately, there is no guarantee of a positive outcome for the calf.
Whatever the case may be, the mysterious event has gripped biologists in a state of awe and confusion. This is a unique situation that provides us with valuable insights into the behavior of these awe-inspiring creatures. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the orca’s behavior, we may just be one step closer to truly understanding these creatures.
