A rare pod of Hector’s dolphins was spotted in Akaroa Harbour, supporting a new mother as her calf learned to breathe. Video / Black Cat Cruises
A rare nursery pod of Hector’s dolphins has been spotted in Akaroa Harbour, supporting a new mother as her calf learns to breathe.
The all-female pod was assisting and protecting the new mother and her calf during this vulnerable stage of life while being filmed by Black Cat Cruises guide,Elijah.
Chief executive of Black Cat Cruises, Paul Milligan, said the remarkable discovery happened during a swimming with dolphins tour yesterday afternoon.
“Around this time of year, we do start to keep a close eye out for new calves, it is the time of year that they are born.
“So, always pretty special to see the next generation of these little baby dolphins coming through. ”
A rare nursery pod of Hector’s dolphins has been spotted supporting a new mother. Photo / Black Cat Cruises
Black Cat has been operating out of Akaroa Harbour for 40 years, but although there have been baby dolphin sightings before, Milligan said this particular sighting is especially significant.
“This one was extra special, with the team sighting what they call a nursery pod - a pod of all female dolphins helping a newborn calf sort of learn to surface and breathe for the first time, which is pretty amazing.”
“We’ll see the little baby dolphins, you know, swimming alongside their mum,” he said.
“They stick nice and close to them once when they’re new. But this is the first time that any of our staff has directly have been able to see this sort of nursery pod in action.
“And the fact that we’re able to grab some video footage is just amazing.”
Milligan said several customers were on the boat during the sighting.
“I think when [customers] could see the excitement on our staff’s faces and the understanding that this was something that they’d never come across.
“The skipper we had on yesterday has actually been driving boats out on Akaroa for over 20 years and this was the first time he’d come across that.
“I think our staff go out every day with that sort of understanding that, you know, they’re lucky to be heading out each day to go and see these little dolphins.
“We really enjoy taking out visitors to go and experience them for the first time.
“We’re just very fortunate to be out there frequently and have the opportunity to come across these sorts of events like this little baby.”
Jazlyn Whales is a multimedia journalist based in the Christchurch newsroom.
