Australian study shows whales, dolphins often play together

Bow-riding bottlenose dolphin with humpback whales off the Australian coast. - Roving media

SYDNEY: Australian researchers have found that playtime between baleen whales and dolphins is often a mutual activity, with many encounters involving "cooperative and reciprocal" social play.

Researchers analysed 199 documented encounters involving 19 species, captured on videos or in photographs by the public, tourism operators and scientists across 17 locations worldwide, according to a statement released Tuesday (Aug 12) by Australia's Griffith University.