Drones reveal rare mating rituals of harbour porpoises near Shetland

Drones have captured rare footage of harbour porpoises mating off the coast of Shetland. The recordings provide some of the most detailed observations of this behaviour ever documented in UK waters. Until now, such interactions had largely gone unrecorded by scientists.

The research was led by Sophie Ariadne Francine Smith from UHI Shetland, who became a licensed drone pilot to gather the data. Over 79 minutes of usable footage were collected across four coastal bays, revealing unexpected group dynamics.

Shetland was designated an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) in 2024, thanks to local knowledge and community reports. These sightings prompted scientists to investigate harbour porpoise behaviour more closely. Though the animals are commonly seen in Scottish waters, their mating habits had remained poorly understood.

The drone footage showed gatherings of up to 26 porpoises—far larger than the usual small groups of two or three. No comparable recordings of such detailed mating behaviour exist elsewhere in Europe. Scientists and Shetland residents collaborated to analyse the patterns, aiming to improve conservation efforts.

Understanding group sizes and mating behaviour could help protect harbour porpoises in Shetland and beyond. The findings offer new insights into how these animals interact in the wild, filling a long-standing gap in marine research.

The study marks the first time such detailed drone footage of harbour porpoise mating has been recorded in the UK. Researchers now have clearer data on group sizes and social behaviour, which could shape future conservation strategies. The work also highlights the value of community involvement in tracking and protecting marine wildlife.