![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/dolphin-spotters-shaken-by-ceredigion-porpoise-killing/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/130879575_screenshot2023-08-23130609.jpg&description=Media caption, Moment dolphins kill porpoise for sport at Ceredigion Bay A group of dolphin spotters got more than they bargained for when they witnessed a pod of the animals killing a porpoise for sport. The tour company, based in New Quay, Ceredigion, said it was "morbidly amazing" to witness something so rare. They said the "glamorised" bottlenose dolphins people think of were actually "pretty brutal". They added it could be the best documented case of the behaviour, known as porpicide, ever recorded. The trip, led by wildlife guides Josh Pedley and Andy Walsh of SeaMôr Dolphin Watching, set out on the company's regular 18:35 session on Monday with nine passengers. Mr Pedley said they had a seen a group of about eight bottlenose dolphins on their usual route, having a typical 10-minute encounter before carrying on. As the boat made its way to New Quay headland, the group spotted a porpoise. "We thought 'this could get interesting' - half joking initially," said Mr Pedley. "We've talked about porpicide, and we hear about it, but it was almost spoken about mythically." Porpicide is the name given to the deliberate slaying of a harbour porpoise by bottlenose dolphins. "There was just an eruption of white water and it was evident that the dolphins had picked up on the porpoise's presence basically as soon as it entered the bay," said Mr Pedley. He explained to the boat passengers that dolphins kill porpoise for sport, not food. "I said that we were going to see something we've never seen before, and it might not exactly be nice but it is such a rare occurrence that it is worth watching and documenting because you will never see it again," he said. "I can quite confidently say it is probably the best documentation of this behaviour to ever be recorded." Mr Pedley said they had "unparalleled views" of the encounter as the porpoise tried to hide under the boat. "All the passengers were fantastic, we had the right people on," he said. "We had a couple on board and one of){kind=link}
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Moment dolphins kill porpoise for sport
A group of dolphin spotters had a shock when they witnessed a pod of the animals killing a porpoise for sport.
The tour company, based in New Quay, Ceredigion, said it was “morbidly amazing” to witness something so rare.
They said the “glamorised” bottlenose dolphins people think of were actually “pretty brutal”.