A bottlenose dolphin in French Polynesia adopted an orphaned melon-headed whale calf and took care of it for three years. Researchers initially mistook the whale for the dolphin's baby but soon realized their mistake. The adoption was a rare phenomenon, as most adoptions occur within related animals of the same species and genus. The dolphin had to integrate the whale into the group and the calf had to get accustomed to the bottlenose habits. Eventually, the whale settled into the group and played with the other young dolphins. The scientists concluded that the dolphin was a kind and tolerant creature.
