Researchers have observed northern resident killer whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins cooperating to hunt salmon off British Columbia — a partnership never documented before.
Drone footage, underwater cameras, and acoustic tags showed dolphins racing ahead of the whales as “scouts,” locating large Chinook salmon that dolphins cannot catch alone. The orcas then pursue and capture the fish, while the dolphins feed on leftover scraps. Remarkably, the whales show no aggression, even though they normally guard fresh kills.
Acoustic recordings revealed alternating echolocation clicks from both species during dives, suggesting they may even be listening to each other to improve tracking.
Scientists initially considered other explanations — such as dolphins seeking protection or stealing food — but none fit the consistent pattern of dolphins leading and whales following.
The finding highlights unexpected flexibility in orca behavior and raises new questions: Do whales hunting with dolphins catch more fish? And how much do both species benefit from this unusual alliance?
