A team of researchers from ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Kochi, has successfully documented the mating behavior of the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin (Sousa plumbea) using drone technology – a first-of-its-kind achievement in India. The study, conducted during 2024–2025 off the coast of Kochi, involved drone-based surveys which led to the observation of a pod of four dolphins. The team recorded a three-minute-long video showcasing courtship and mating behavior, marking an important milestone in marine mammal behavioral research in the country. 

The video, which includes visible mating activity lasting approximately 24 to 29 seconds, also revealed distinctive pre-copulatory behaviors. Researchers observed the characteristic circular swimming patterns commonly associated with humpback dolphin mating, capturing a complete copulatory cycle on film for the first time. In India, all marine mammals, including the humpback dolphin (locally known as Paandan Panni), are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The species is listed as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List due to ongoing threats to its survival. 

The documentation was part of a national project conducted under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), aimed at collecting baseline data on marine mammal populations in Indian waters. According to Dr. George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, the drone footage provides critical insights into the reproductive and social behavior of these elusive cetaceans and will be instrumental for future conservation-focused studies. He added that drone-based observation offers a non-intrusive method to gather accurate data on marine mammals in their natural habitat without disturbing their behavior. 

The research team was led by Senior Scientist Dr. Prajith K. K., and included Dr. Paras Nath Jha, Dr. Rithin Joseph, Dr. Dhiju Das, Mr. Rishikesh, Mr. Immanuel, and Mr. Abu Tahir Sha. 

The findings have been published in the international journal Regional Studies in Marine Science and mark the first-ever video documentation of humpback dolphin mating behavior in Asia.