Scientists have documented a surprising partnership off the coast of British Columbia: orcas and Pacific white-sided dolphins hunting salmon together.
Northern resident killer whales usually hunt alone, but new drone and underwater footage shows them following dolphins acting as “scouts.” The dolphins chase large Chinook salmon ahead of the whales, then feed on scraps after the whales make the kill — and the whales show no aggression in return.
Researchers ruled out other explanations, such as dolphins seeking protection or stealing food, and concluded the predators appear to be cooperating.
Tag data also revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species during deep dives, suggesting they may be listening to each other to track fish.
The team now wants to learn whether orcas that hunt with dolphins are actually more successful — but the discovery already shows how adaptable and intelligent these animals are.
