Researchers have discovered that northern resident orcas and Pacific white-sided dolphins are working together to hunt salmon off the coast of British Columbia — the first documented cooperation of its kind.
Using drones, underwater video, and acoustic tags, scientists observed dolphins speeding ahead through the water as “scouts,” locating salmon that the orcas then pursued and captured. After the whales tore the fish apart at the surface, dolphins moved in to eat leftover scraps. Remarkably, the orcas — normally protective of fresh prey — showed no aggression toward the dolphins.
Acoustic recordings revealed alternating echolocation clicks between the two species, suggesting they may be listening to each other’s sonar and expanding their ability to track fish.
Researchers ruled out other explanations such as the dolphins seeking protection or simply stealing food, since the whales did not react negatively and consistently followed the dolphins’ lead.
The findings indicate a genuine cooperative hunting strategy and offer new insight into the adaptability and intelligence of both species. Further study will explore whether this partnership improves hunting success for whales and dolphins alike.
