Dolphins can feel joy and sadness

13 April 2012

Whales, dolphins and porpoises live in complex societies, use tools and can experience joy or grief, it has been claimed.

A study has revealed their huge range of skills and suggests that the impact of whaling and environmental damage on such sensitive groups may be much larger than thought.

In his paper Mark Simmonds, director of science for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, argues that the increasing body of scientific evidence on the animals, all part of the cetacean family, proves they are far more intelligent than previously understood.

The research points to facts such as the confirmed ability of captive animals to recognise themselves in a mirror — a skill which was previously unknown outside of humans and the great apes.

Other examples of intelligence in the paper, Into the Brains of Whales, being published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, include the fact that dolphins can "point" at objects with their heads to guide humans to them and can also manipulate objects.

Mr Simmonds cites the case of a 30-strong group of false killer whales which remained with an injured member in shallows for three days, exposing themselves to sunburn and the risk of stranding, until it died as an example of their ability to grieve.

There is also a welldocumented use of tools in wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. He said: "They are often seen carrying sponges on the ends of their beaks, probably to protect them while they forage on the sea floor where spiny sea urchins might otherwise cause puncture wounds."

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