Heartbreaking video shows adult dolphin trying to revive calf

An adult bottlenose dolphin has broken the hearts of onlookers after it was filmed trying to revive the lifeless body of a dead dolphin calf.

Those watching on filmed the scene off the western coast of Italy last week.

In the footage, the adult dolphin, which could be the calf’s mother, can been seen repeatedly nuding the young dolphin’s body.

Researchers from Oceanomare Delphis, shared the footage.

The cause of the calf’s death is unknown.

The researchers explain they believe the adult dolphin is the calf’s mother, which could explain it’s unusual behavior.

It’s not the first time a dolphin as acted in this way.

In 2013, an adult dolphin was spotted carrying the body of a dead calf out to sea.

Research has found that dolphins mourn their dead in a similar to way humans do.