Scientists captured female sperm whales on video working together during a birth to protect the calf - AP News

Scientists documented female sperm whales actively assisting during the birth of a calf, with multiple whales coordinating to protect the newborn—behavior rarely captured on video before. The footage shows what researchers believe is a deliberate cooperative strategy, with adult females positioning themselves around the vulnerable calf in what appears to be a protective formation. This observation adds to growing evidence that sperm whales exhibit complex social behaviors and maternal support systems previously underestimated by marine biologists. The discovery underscores the intelligence and social structure of these deep-diving cetaceans and may reshape how scientists understand whale reproduction and family dynamics in the ocean.