Scientists have recorded northern resident killer whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins cooperating to hunt salmon off British Columbia — a first for these species.
Drone videos, underwater cameras, and acoustic tags showed dolphins leading the chase, moving quickly through the water as “scouts,” with orcas following behind. Once the whales caught and broke apart the salmon, the dolphins scavenged leftover pieces. Remarkably, the orcas showed no aggression, even though they usually guard fresh prey.
Alternating echolocation clicks from both species suggest they may even be listening to each other’s sonar while hunting, expanding their ability to track fish deep underwater.
Scientists considered whether dolphins were simply seeking protection or stealing scraps, but the consistent pattern of dolphins in front and whales behind strongly points to true cooperation.
Researchers now want to understand how much each species benefits — and whether whales that team up with dolphins become more successful hunters.
The discovery highlights the impressive adaptability of orcas, long known for their intelligence and complex social behavior.
