Giving birth is a family affair for whales, reveals new research

ONLINE EMBARGO 18.00 GMT, 26/03/26

Giving birth is a family affair - for whales, reveals new research.Ground-breaking video shows female relatives - both young and old - acting as 'midwives' as a sperm whale gives birth. The most comprehensive footage of a sperm whale birth ever recorded has also provided the first clear evidence of cooperative birth assistance among non-primates, say scientists.The whale giving birth - known to scientists as "Rounder" - was observed alongside both her mother, Lady Oracle, and her daughter, Accra, marking the presence of three generations of females participating in the event.

Giving birth is a family affair for whales, reveals new research

Female relatives acting as "midwives" as a sperm whale gives birth. (Project CETI via SWNS)

By Stephen Beech

Giving birth is a family affair — for whales, new research reveals.

Giving birth is a family affair for whales, reveals new research

The whale giving birth - known to scientists as "Rounder" - was observed alongside both her mother, Lady Oracle, and her daughter, Accra, marking the presence of three generations of females participating in the event. (Project CETI via SWNS)

Giving birth is a family affair for whales, reveals new research

(Project CETI via SWNS)

Giving birth is a family affair for whales, reveals new research

(Project CETI via SWNS)

Giving birth is a family affair for whales, reveals new research

(Project CETI via SWNS)

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