'Deceptively cute' ancient whale, cetacean buddies, and a subgroup headed for extinction
Big Blue Bulletin #63
Welcome to the latest edition of the Big Blue Bulletin – things have changed just a little bit around here as featured stories will now focus on whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with a little bit of commentary from me thrown in as well. Still, you can expect good news, bad news, and a cute creature in your inbox every week.
Let’s dive in 🐬
Ocean news
🗞️ Big news of the week -
Scientists have identified a new species of ancient whale, Janjucetus dullardi, from a 25-million-year-old fossil unearthed in Victoria, Australia. Though small (about the size of a dolphin) the whale had razor-sharp teeth, a powerfully built skull, and eyes the size of tennis balls. Unlike modern baleen whales, this early relative was a predator, described by researchers as a “shark-like version of a baleen whale”. Small, fierce, and probably not one you’d want to swim with.
😞 Pregnant female among pod of 23 dead whales
A pod of 23 pilot whales, including a pregnant female, has been found dead on the island of Sanday in Orkney. Experts from the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme say the whales appear to have live-stranded several days earlier, though the cause remains unknown. Samples are being taken to assess the animals’ health and genetic relationships, but with decomposition already underway, researchers worry the full story of why strandings like this happen may never be clear.
🤝 Whales and dolphins regularly hang out with each other – new study
A new study published in Discover Animals has found that whales and dolphins frequently interact across species lines, engaging in behaviours that range from play and feeding to physical contact. Analysing nearly 200 encounters from 17 countries over two decades, and using footage captured via drones, social media, and citizen science, the researchers documented species rolling together, tail slapping, bow riding and rubbing against each other. These interactions appear to be widespread, adding to our understanding of how these intelligent marine mammals share their underwater world.
❌ Hawaii's False Killer Whales could be heading for extinction
A new study in Endangered Species Research has found that the endangered population of false killer whales around Hawai‘i is declining at around 3.5% per year, with just 139 individuals estimated to remain. Though the species is more stable globally, this isolated, non-migratory group faces mounting pressure from longline fishing, entanglement, inbreeding, and chemical pollution. Researchers also found that over a quarter of individuals showed signs of surviving previous fisheries interactions.
👋 Family's incredible encounter with dolphins off South West coast
A family swimming off the southwest coast had an unforgettable encounter when a bottlenose dolphin joined them in the water, playfully circling, nudging with its beak, and even asking for belly rubs. The dolphin stayed with the family for several minutes before swimming off. Bottlenose dolphins are one of the more common coastal species seen around the UK, with Dorset a known hotspot for sightings. "The sea belongs to dolphins—we were lucky to spend a moment with it," said swimmer Lynda.
Have a great weekend! 📸
Cover image by Photograph By Doug Perrine/Nature Picture Library.
The unavoidable contamination of microplastics is a gloomy bellwether for all species, including humans, the cause of this pollution. I’ve said it before, future humans will look back at this with the same contempt and horror that we currently view historical slavery.