Clips
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BBC WILDLIFE
Find out more about bottlenose dolphins and other Natural World animals at the BBC Wildlife Finder.
BBC Wildlife Finder -
Baby bottlenose dolphin
Baby Samu must quickly learn to swim without his mother's support. In Shark Bay, bottlenose dolphins are at risk from shark attacks, especially calves like Samu. The first three years of a calf's life is particularly dangerous with almost 50% being killed.
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Baby and mother bottlenose dolphin
One day old Samu takes one of his first breaths. Born at night to avoid the threat of sharks, Samu must stay close to mother Puck as they swim in the shallow waters of Shark Bay. The bay supports a large population of bottlenose dolphins including groups which have developed extraordinary hunting techniques. Puck's group, the Beachies, have developed special methods of hunting fish in shallow water.
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Dolphin catching fish
Another group of bottlenose dolphins, resident to shark bay, has developed a unique hunting technique. The dolphins drive fish into shallow water and as they approach the shore, one dolphin will accelerate and aquaplane into centimetres of water, snatching the fish. Only a few females in the group have learnt to do this, however it is passed down through generations with young dolphins watching from the shallows.
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Scientist Janet Mann
Janet Mann is the scientist behind the research at Shark Bay, Western Australia. She has followed Puck for over 20 years and witnessed Puck rear five calves. Samu is the sixth, but despite Puck's experience, she must remain vigalent to protect against the dangers facing Samu. Many dolphins in the Bay bear scars from encounters with sharks and Janet hopes that Samu will not become the latest victim.
Credits
- Executive Producer
- Sarah Cunliffe
- Executive Producer
- Tim Martin
