Researchers have documented northern resident orcas cooperating with Pacific white-sided dolphins to hunt salmon off the coast of British Columbia — a first-of-its-kind discovery.
Using drones, underwater video and acoustic tags, scientists observed dolphins leading the chase, acting like “scouts” as they pursued large Chinook salmon. The orcas followed close behind, catching the fish and breaking them apart at the surface, while the dolphins scavenged the leftovers. Remarkably, the whales showed no aggression toward the dolphins despite normally guarding their kills.
Acoustic data revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species during dives, suggesting they may even be listening to each other and expanding their combined ability to track fish.
Researchers considered other explanations — such as dolphins seeking protection or stealing scraps — but the consistent pattern of dolphins guiding the hunt points to true cooperation.
The findings highlight the adaptability and intelligence of both species and open new questions about how widespread and beneficial this cross-species partnership may be.
