A resident of Talashil near Sindhudurg in the Konkan region has recorded post-mortem attentive behaviour (PAB) in an Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. The video shows a mother dolphin pushing her dead calf, seemingly mistaking it for being alive. This behaviour had previously been documented by marine researcher Mihir Sule and others, who also published a scientific paper on the phenomenon.

Marine researcher Mihir Sule said, “A tourist recently recorded this post-mortem attentive behaviour in an Indian Ocean humpback dolphin near Sindhudurg. Such behaviour is common among intelligent animals, including chimpanzees, elephants and wolves, especially in tight-knit groups. While the exact reasons are unknown, scientists believe an evolutionary mechanism could be behind it.”