Scientists discover first ever whale-dolphin hybrid

In a first, a rare whale-dolphin hybrid species have recently been spotted as per scientists’ claims.

The scientists have discovered a rare whale-dolphin hybrid off the coast of Hawaii. The species is the first-ever documented offspring result of a rough-toothed dolphin and the melon-headed whale mating, stated the report about the discovery.

The creature was found swimming with a whale, which is presumed to be its mother, in the sea last year. However the report about the discovery from Cascadia Research Collective has been released just recently.

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Biopsy samples were taken by the creature for understanding their behavior analyzing its genetics, encouraged by the animal’s ‘morphological characteristics’. Lead researcher Robin Baird informed Hawaii’s local newspaper The Garden Island that this discovery was their ‘most unusual finding’ and most likely fathered by a rough-toothed dolphin and mothered by a melon-headed whale.

Since it is the first case of these two species mating, Baird and his team aim to return to the water again next month to investigate further, however he believes that the chances to witness the marine creature were low, as per Independent.

“If we find it again, we’d like to try to get a biopsy sample of the melon-headed whale it was associated with as well as get underwater footage [and] images to better assess morphology,” he said.