Dear MARMAM members on the 3rd of July, 2008, we observed and filmed the agony and death of a newborn bottlenose dolphin in the semi-closed waters of the Amvrakikos Gulf, western Greece. The observation lasted about 70 min. We posted a short preliminary report, a 7-min video and a selection of 33 photos at: http://www.istitutotethys.org/_video/DeadCalves/ We are working on a manuscript that also reports a similar observation done one year ago in the same area (3-4 July 2007, see link above). We would be grateful to list members who have observed such behaviours and want to share information and thoughts regarding 1) calf pathologies and possible causes of death, as suggested by the available photo and video documentation, and 2) evidence of mourning among cetaceans and other animals. We are largely aware of the existing literature on epimeletic and care-giving behaviour among dolphins (many thanks to MARMAM members who responded to a previous post). However, we found little about larger cetaceans. Has care-giving behaviour been observed (and published) among Mysticetes? Please write to Joan Gonzalvo <joan.gonzalvo@gmail.com>. _______________________________________ Giovanni Bearzi, Ph.D. President, Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy http://www.tethys.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm http://www.tethys.org/ http://www.cetaceanalliance.org/ _______________________________________