Dolphins are thought of as one of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom – and experts
believe
they have put their ingenuity to use in the pursuit of getting “high”.
In extraordinary scenes filmed for a new documentary, young dolphins were seen carefully
manipulating a
certain kind of puffer fish which, if provoked, releases a nerve toxin.
Though large doses of the toxin can be deadly, in small amounts it is known to produce a narcotic
effect,
and the dolphins appeared to have worked out how to make the fish release just the right amount.
Carefully chewing on the puffer and passing it between one another, the marine mammals then
enter what
seems to be a trance-like state.
The behaviour was captured on camera by the makers of Dolphins
The behaviour was captured on camera by the makers of Dolphins: Spy in the Pod, a series
produced for
BBC One by the award-winning wildlife documentary producer John Downer.
Rob Pilley, a zoologist who also worked as a producer on the series, told the Sunday Times: “This
was a case
of young dolphins purposely experimenting with something we know to be intoxicating.
“After chewing the puffer gently and passing it round, they began acting most peculiarly, hanging
around with
their noses at the surface as if fascinated by their own reflection.
“It reminded us of that craze a few years ago when people started licking toads to get a buzz, especially
the way
they hung there in a daze afterwards. It was the most extraordinary thing to see.”
The documentary makers used spy cameras hidden in fake turtles, fish and squid to film 900 hours of
footage showing dolphins in their natural habitats.
The scenes showing them “using” puffer fish will feature in the second episode of the series, which starts on Thursday.
It is the latest in a long run of wildlife documentaries made by Downer which use similar spy camera
techniques. Previous series include Penguins: Spy in the Huddle, which like the Dolphins programme was
narrated by
David Tennant, Elephants. Spy in the Herd with David Attenborough and Lions: Spy in the Den.
