Scientists have discovered that northern resident orcas in British Columbia are cooperating with Pacific white-sided dolphins to hunt salmon — the first evidence of such a partnership.
Using drones, underwater cameras and acoustic tags, researchers observed dolphins acting as “scouts,” chasing large Chinook salmon ahead of the whales. The orcas followed closely, then shared the surface scraps while dolphins fed on the leftovers. Remarkably, the whales — normally protective of their kills — showed no aggression.
Audio recordings revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species, suggesting they may be listening to each other to track fish more effectively.
Researchers ruled out explanations such as protection or food stealing and concluded the behavior is likely true cooperation.
The discovery highlights the adaptability and intelligence of both animals. Scientists now aim to learn whether whales that hunt with dolphins are more successful than those that hunt alone.
