Sperm Whale Birth Filmed With Cooperative Group Assistance

Scientists have documented a rare instance of cooperative behavior among sperm whales, capturing both video and audio of a birth that took place in 2023 near Dominica. This observation adds to a limited set of scientific records on sperm whale births, providing new material for the study of animal social behavior.

The recorded event involved a group of eleven female sperm whales, including the mother and related whales such as her sister and daughter. These whales worked together to support the mother during labor and helped the newborn calf reach the surface of the water.

After the calf was born, the group continued to assist by holding the young whale above water for several hours. This support continued until the calf was able to swim independently, according to the scientists who observed the event.

During the birth, researchers documented the use of distinctive vocalizations among the whales. The whales produced slower and longer sets of clicks, which scientists suggest may have played a role in coordinating the group's actions during key moments.

What the numbers show

• 2023: Year the rare sperm whale birth was filmed off Dominica
• 11 female whales participated in the cooperative event
• 156 distinct codas identified in the sperm whale phonetic alphabet
• Only a handful of sperm whale births recorded scientifically in 60 years
• Two peer-reviewed journals published the observations

Previous scientific records of sperm whale births have been limited, with only a few documented cases over the past six decades. None of those earlier records included both audio and video evidence, making the 2023 observation unique.

A similar event was described in 2025 by National Geographic, which reported that eleven sperm whales gathered around a mother during a birth off Dominica. In that case, the whales also used clicks and supported the calf at the surface, indicating that such cooperative behavior may not be isolated.

The research team published their findings in two peer-reviewed journals, Scientific Reports and Science. These publications detail both the visual and acoustic aspects of the observed birth and group assistance.

Project CETI researchers have identified a sperm whale phonetic alphabet consisting of approximately 156 distinct codas. This system of vocalizations is being studied to better understand communication and coordination in sperm whale groups.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.