Baby dolphin Kalani died soon after birth and her mother has been carrying her body around for five days. Pic: Estuary Guardians/Facebook
Camera IconBaby dolphin Kalani died soon after birth and her mother has been carrying her body around for five days. Pic: Estuary Guardians/Facebook Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Video: Mother dolphin mourns baby that died after birth

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

A heartbreaking video has been posted on social media of a mother dolphin from Mandurah grieving her lost calf.

Estuary Guardians Mandurah posted the video of Squarecut mourning her infant last week.

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They believe the calf, which was named Kalani, died after a stillbirth around May 9.

On Tuesday, five days after the calf’s death, Squarecut was spotted in the Murray River still carrying Kalani’s body.

It is common for dolphins to mourn grieve for their lost calves and keep them with them after death.

“Of course we ask everyone to continue to give mum plenty of space,” the Estuary Guardians wrote.

Heartbreakingly, this is the third time Squarecut has lost a baby in three years.

“Each time the calf has lived for a shorter period than the last,” the Estuary Guardians wrote. “We believe this calf did not survive birth for long (or was stillborn).”

They are also asking that the public give another member of the Mandurah pod space after he was bitten by a shark for the second time.

Elliot survived a shark attack in 2017 and has decided to recover in the Dawesville inlet. Elliot’s scars. Pic: Estuary Guardians Mandurah/Facebook “He has further (lesser) shark bite wounds below on his left side showing it was one large attempted shark bite,” the Estuary Guardians wrote. “Elliot is staying in Dawesville inland waters for protection and rest. We noticed the other dolphins with shark bites also did this. “Dolphins do have amazing healing powers so all fingers and toes are crossed at this point.” They asked members of the public to call them on 0407 090 284 if they find the calf’s body once Squarecut has finished grieving.