Footage captures mother dolphin carrying dead calf 'during period of mourning'

By SBS News

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A mother dolphin has been spotted carrying the dead body of her two-week-old calf during what experts have called "a period of mourning". In a video posted by Australian whale conservation organisation Geographe Marine Research, the mother dolphin - known to the organisation as Fraggle - was spotted in Leschenault Estuary, Western Australia, swimming amid a pod of dolphins. Conservationists say Fraggle has already lost three other calves. Giving birth to a fourth during the southern hemisphere winter posed an immediate challenge to the calf's survival, with conservationists believing it died from pneumonia. "Witnessing a high respiratory rate in her calf recently, sadly we knew this day was coming ... dolphins will carry their deceased calves during a period of mourning, which can last for many days," said the organisation in an Instagram post. "At some stage she must let go and feed to survive; that day is near." For the latest news, visit sbs.com.au/news SBS News is Australia's

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