During a dolphin-watching trip in Cardigan Bay, tourists and researchers observed a rare and distressing event as four adult bottlenose dolphins aggressively pursued and killed a common dolphin calf. The incident, captured on film, offers new insight into interspecies aggression among cetaceans rarely seen in the UK waters.
Tourists on a dolphin-watching trip in Cardigan Bay, Wales, were unexpectedly confronted with a rare and distressing natural event when four adult bottlenose dolphins were observed pursuing and killing a common dolphin calf. The excursion, operated collaboratively by Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips and the Sea Watch Foundation (SWF), aimed to provide wildlife enthusiasts with an opportunity to observe cetaceans in their natural habitat while contributing to scientific data collection and conservation efforts.
Dylan Coundley-Hughes, an intern with SWF who was present during the trip, described the scene: “While conducting a boat survey on behalf of the Sea Watch Foundation aboard a dolphin spotting wildlife tour, we observed intense splashing and dolphin activity. At first, we saw something flung into the air and suspected a porpoise, but to our disbelief it was a common dolphin calf, making this encounter an interspecific infanticide.” He added that he was filming for a personal documentary at the time and captured the rare behaviour, which he described as “both remarkable and heartbreaking to witness.”
The Sea Watch Foundation’s experts have suggested that the aggressive behaviour could be related to competition for resources such as prey. To further understand the circumstances, a postmortem examination of the calf will be conducted by the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.
Katrin Lohrengel, who manages the SWF’s Cardigan Bay monitoring project, provided additional context about bottlenose dolphin behaviour: “Bottlenose dolphins have a very wholesome reputation, but many people are not aware that male dolphins have been known to commit infanticide; they kill bottlenose dolphin calves. They have also been documented killing harbour porpoises and often show aggression to other cetacean species. Both infanticide and ‘porpicide’ are known to occur in Cardigan Bay, but we have never witnessed interspecific aggression towards common dolphins before. While it’s not surprising that this behaviour is taking place, it’s very rare to witness it and even rarer to catch it on film.”
Bottlenose dolphins are commonly found around the UK, including areas such as the Moray Firth and Cornwall’s coastline. Common dolphins, sometimes called short-nosed common dolphins, tend to be smaller and more social, usually travelling in groups. This incident marks a rare observation of violent interaction between these two species in the region.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2025-04-18/bottlenose-dolphins-observed-killing-dolphin-calf-in-cardigan-bay – Corroborates the observation of four bottlenose dolphins attacking and killing a common dolphin juvenile in Cardigan Bay, matching the location and species involved in the event.
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DImAazjtL29/ – Supports the claim about bottlenose dolphins targeting porpoises and bottlenose calves, while noting the unusual nature of attacking common dolphin calves, as described by Sea Watch Foundation.
- https://truthlensai.com/news/bottlenose-dolphins-kill-dolphin-calf-off-welsh-coast-3a9aab0b – Confirms the incident of bottlenose dolphins killing a common dolphin calf in Cardigan Bay, including details about the calf being thrown out of the water.
- https://bsky.app/profile/theguardian.com/post/3ln453u26sc2h – Documents rare footage of the interspecies infanticide witnessed during a dolphin-watching trip in Cardigan Bay, aligning with the eyewitness account provided in the article.
- https://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/topic/386607-bottlenose-dolphins-spotted-killing-dolphin-calf/ – Reiterates the incident involving bottlenose dolphins attacking a common dolphin calf in Cardigan Bay, reinforcing the rarity of interspecific aggression observed.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references events reported on April 18, 2025, involving a direct eyewitness account. No indications of recycled or outdated news were found. The involvement of active organisations like the Sea Watch Foundation and a recent date suggest high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes attributed to named individuals such as Dylan Coundley-Hughes and Katrin Lohrengel appear original and specific to this event. Earliest known references align with this report’s date, implying originality rather than recycled quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a major, reputable UK-based media outlet known for reliable environmental and scientific reporting. The Sea Watch Foundation, a credible conservation organisation, is cited, enhancing reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The behaviour described—male bottlenose dolphins committing interspecies infanticide—is documented albeit rare. Experts referenced provide plausible explanations related to resource competition. The event’s rarity and the ongoing investigation (postmortem) align with plausible natural phenomena.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative reports a recent, well-documented observation from credible witnesses and organisations. Quotes appear original, and the behaviour described is biologically plausible and consistent with known dolphin behaviour. The story is fresh, reliable, and plausible with no evidence of recycling or misinformation.
