Female bottlenose dolphins have been known to “steal” babies of other species for brief periods during conflicts, but the adoptee’s enthusiasm and the mom’s dedication show this was no kidnapping.
The ever-persistent orphan was not only intent on integrating himself into the family unit; he also figured out how to fit into the broader group of dolphins.
For instance, he regularly socialized with other youngsters and would even join in on their favorite pastime of surfing and leaping into the waves.
But a big question remains: Why would a bottlenose dolphin bother to invest in an infant to which she has no genetic ties?
One possibility is that the recent birth of her calf triggered her maternal instincts. “Most likely, it was just a perfect moment for this calf to come along, when [the mother] was at a very receptive period to forming those bonds with her own offspring,” says MacLeod, “and it led to this slightly wacky situation.”
Fragment of gypsum plaster relief, two horses attached to forepart of chariot. Ostrich plumes (red and black) on heads of horses. Background yellow, bodies of horses red. Spirited, rather than fine, workmanship. Condition: Broken at edges and very fragile. Lower portion of legs and upper sections of ostrich feathers lost.
From Tell el-Amarna. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, Amarna Period, reign of Akhenaten, ca. 1353-1336 BC. Now in the Brooklyn Museum. 54.186
“People have been rallying, contacting their representatives, and sharing their stories about what Title X and birth control means to them. Congress needs to listen to the people and #ProtectX.
As the nation’s program for affordable birth control comes under attack, we’re sharing the voices of people who’ve received care through Title X. Here are their stories.
Karina, Arizona
“I walked into a Planned Parenthood health center outside of Phoenix, Arizona with $20 in my bank account. I was scared, nervous…and so, so overwhelmed. My period was late, and I had spent days wondering how I’d ever juggle a baby and college. Planned Parenthood was there for me. Title X was there for me. Thanks to Title X — the nation’s program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care — and a wonderful, kind provider at my Planned Parenthood health center, I was able to get a pregnancy test and find the right birth control for my body. I could stop worrying, and focus on my future.
Without Title X, I would have had literally nowhere to go. And that’s why it’s so, so important that all of us throw our support behind Planned Parenthood in this moment. Health care should be a human right — something we never have to stress about, scrounge for, or bargain over. That’s not our reality, though.
There’s a huge divide between who can get health care in this country, and who has to go without — and it’s people without means, people of color, and the immigrant community who suffer. People like me. Title X levels the playing field by making basic health care accessible for 4 million people. That’s 4 million people who can go to work, study, and care for their families without worrying about how they’ll afford their next Pap test or breast cancer screening.”
Emma, Washington
“It was the week of my 22nd birthday that my OBGYN recommended to perform a laparoscopy to diagnose or rule out endometriosis. After the procedure, my doctor informed me that I do have endometriosis, a common health problem that causes chronic pain, and if left untreated could lead to infertility. At this time, I was working a minimum wage job in customer service and could not afford to pay for health insurance or doctor’s visits out of pocket, so I went to my local Planned Parenthood health center.
The woman at the front desk gave me a form to fill out before my appointment and told me not to worry, they would take care of me, with the amount of money I made yearly, I qualified to pay for services on a sliding scale. I met with a health care provider that day and she went over my medical history I brought from my OBGYN and we decided on a plan: I would get the Depo-Provera shot to minimize and hopefully stop my cycle. During a time when I wasn’t sure if I would be able to even have children in the future, or exactly how to manage this new disease, the last thing I wanted to think about was the cost and how to navigate the system. Title X was critical to me finding care and managing my disease. Without it, I don’t know where I would be today.”
Ixya, West Virginia
“As a university student, planning for my future is extremely important. As a Latina, the topic of sexual and reproductive health does not come up and can sometimes be dangerous to talk about. I want to make sure I am prepared, safe, and do not have a surprise pregnancy, so I decided I wanted to get an IUD. Unfortunately, if my parents found out I used their insurance to get an IUD I’m afraid they’ll make me leave WVU and make me go back home, which is why utilizing Title X helped me get affordable birth control without risking my relationship with my family and risking my education.”
Ray, Oregon
“I had moved to Eugene, Oregon for school and needed to get tested as well as start a new form of birth control. I went to the Title X funded facility off Franklin Blvd and received the care I needed — at no out of pocket cost. Inspired by this new wave of access when it came to sexual health, I decided to get involved. I was still at a point in my life where I felt ashamed and disgusted by my sexual history — unable to overcome the taunting as a kid and the self doubt as a young adult.
When I started out I was doing the Health Center Advocacy Program, collecting stories from my community. And I as I asked, complete strangers, if they had a story to share, I discovered that I was far from alone in my experience. I was not the only one that was raised in this culture of shame and silence. I knew that the only way to break this stigma — was to break that silence. As I spent the rest of my collegiate career sharing my story, expanding resources on campus and fostering a culture of affirmation, I couldn’t help but look back at that 16 year old girl and see how far I have come. And that’s exactly what Planned Parenthood does for their patients. Throughout my life Planned Parenthood has given me information and resources to address my mental and physical health — but the most important thing they have done is help me find my voice.”
Elizabeth, Alaska
“I am one of the millions of Americans and thousands of Alaskans who rely on Title X for BASIC health care: pap smears, cancer screenings, and STI testing. I have traveled a lot and lived in many places, but no matter where I go, Title X and Planned Parenthood are always there. Because of Title X, I’ve never had to worry about whether I could afford the basic care I need. And in times when I’ve not had insurance, I’ve been able to pay what I could afford. Because of Title X and Planned Parenthood, when a Pap test came back abnormal a few years ago, I didn’t have to worry. Planned Parenthood took care of me, and got me the follow-up care that I needed. Today, I’m grateful to have insurance. And I’m grateful that I can continue going to Planned Parenthood for high quality care. Health care is a human right, but too many policymakers treat it like a luxury. Title X is one of the few positive cornerstones of our American healthcare system. And it works.”
