The dead dolphin was dragged to the shore by another dolphin in 6 days! The interesting incident became the subject of a scientific article.

A dolphin that died off the coast of Zeytinburnu district in Istanbul was brought to Yeşilköy Beach by another dolphin in 6 days. This incident was also the subject of a scientific article. This event was recorded as a rare behavior observed in 96 cases of 24 dolphin and whale species in the world's oceans.

"IT DID NOT LEAVE ITS SIDE FOR 6 DAYS"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arda Tonay, a faculty member of Istanbul University Faculty of Marine Sciences, Department of Marine Biology and Deputy Chairman of the Turkish Marine Research Foundation, stated that based on scientific data, this behavior has been recorded in 96 cases of 24 dolphin and whale species in the world's oceans. Tonay said, "In three separate observations, it can be seen that it did not leave its side for at least 6 days. They flowed together from Zeytinburnu to Yeşilköy. It was a very interesting record in scientific terms."

"IT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS PROTECTION OF A DEAD INDIVIDUAL BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tonay said, "In March, an interesting behavior displayed by a dolphin of the afalina species in the Marmara Sea was recorded with the observations of four different citizens. This behavior is called epimeletic, a scientific behavior. It can be described as one individual helping or trying to protect another individual, whether alive or dead. In our case, there was a male individual. It was a dead individual that had died about 1 day earlier, and another afalina that was waiting by its side was pushing the dolphin away from the area by nudging it with its nose or by using its fin to keep it away from the dead body, in order to keep the dead body away from any boats coming to the area. In three separate observations, the animal did not leave the dead body for 6 days. They flowed together from Zeytinburnu to Yeşilköy. The dead dolphin washed ashore in Avcılar after 4-5 days. After that, we did not see the other individual displaying epimeletic behavior in the area."

"THERE ARE 96 CASES IN 24 DOLPHIN AND WHALE SPECIES"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tonay said, "There have been 96 cases of this behavior in 24 dolphin and whale species so far. Except for 7 cases, they are mostly observed between the mother and the calf; it is seen as the inability of the mother to say goodbye to the calf due to its loss. Only 2 of these 7 observations resemble our case, in terms of occurring between two adults. As I said, it is a very rare behavior. Especially in terms of occurring between two adults. When you see the images, it really breaks your heart. There is nothing you can do about it. The only thing we did was to inform the authorities, the Coast Guard, the Marine Police, the Ministry of Agriculture's Fisheries Branch Directorate, to prevent boats from approaching the area. The incident ended after 6 days. Finally, we published our scientific article and shared it with the world."