10/08/2026
The Black Nomads
Short-finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala macrorynchus) are among the most social cetaceans in the ocean. In French Polynesia, they are encountered year round and spent most of their lives offshore, constantly traveling in search of squids and deepwater fish.
They live in tight knit family groups where cooperation is essential. Individuals stay close to one other throughout their lives and calves are raised withing a strong social network that extends well beyond their mothers.
During this encounter, we observed a large adult male alongside a mother and her newborn calf. The calf still displayed visible fetal folds (temporary wrinkles left from his time in the womb) which indicates it was only days old.
Seeing such a young animal thriving in the open oceanis is a powerful reminder that these waters are home to generations of pilot whales.
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🎥 Ma Too
🛥 Vinny Labruna Trevor Orth
