Researchers have documented a surprising partnership off British Columbia: northern resident killer whales cooperating with Pacific white-sided dolphins to hunt salmon. Using drones, underwater video and acoustic tags, scientists observed dolphins speeding ahead as “scouts,” locating salmon that the orcas then pursued and captured.
Unlike typical behavior, the whales showed no aggression as dolphins moved in to eat leftover scraps — a sign the interaction is not accidental. Acoustic recordings revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species during deep dives, suggesting they may even be listening to each other to track fish more effectively.
Scientists ruled out simpler explanations such as dolphins seeking protection or stealing food, concluding the behavior reflects a mutual hunting strategy. The discovery highlights the adaptability and intelligence of both species and opens new questions about how widespread and beneficial this cooperation may be.
