Killer whales execute skilled hunting techniques to bring juvenile great white sharks to the water’s surface.
Marco Villegas
Killer whales in the Gulf of California have adopted a sophisticated hunting method to target juvenile great white sharks: they turn them upside down to immobilize them. This finding implies there may be a previously unnoticed pod of orcas in the area that specialize in hunting sharks.
Only a limited number of killer whale populations are documented to consume sharks, and even fewer have been observed preying on great white sharks (carcharodon carcharius). Historically, killer whales (Orcinus orca) off the coast of San Francisco have been linked to a recorded incident involving a great white shark in 1997, and a carcass recovered near Australia revealed signs of an orca attack, documented in 2023. Until recently, only one instance of a killer whale preying on a young great white shark had been noted, and that was in South Africa.
Jesus Eric Higuera-Rivas, an independent marine biologist from Mexico, along with colleagues, captured video footage of killer whales hunting juvenile great white sharks on two occasions in the Gulf of California. The initial footage, taken in August 2020, depicted five female killer whales collaboratively pushing a juvenile great white to the surface. “The killer whale was attempting to ram the great white and flip it over,” Higuera-Rivas remarked.
This tactic induced a temporary state of paralysis in the shark, known as tonic immobility. The orcas also managed to consume the energy-rich liver of the shark, sharing it among themselves. Shortly thereafter, the pod repeated their attack on another young great white shark. In August 2022, another group of five killer whales exhibited the same hunting strategy against juvenile great whites in the identical location.
Some of the killer whales involved in the first incident were identified as those previously seen hunting whale sharks and bull sharks. However, the video from the second incident was insufficiently clear to confirm if those were the same orcas. “But it’s highly probable,” says Higuera-Rivas.
The hunting behaviors of killer whale populations differ significantly based on their habitat. “Orcas are like hunting machines, akin to snipers. They employ specific strategies tailored to their prey,” Higuera-Rivas explains. These observations indicate that the killer whales in question may be part of an unrecognized group of shark hunters.
“This provides another example of a distinct feeding strategy, likely not shared by other orca groups globally,” states Andrew Trites from the University of British Columbia, Canada. However, further research is necessary for conclusive evidence, as these killer whales might descend from Pacific Northwest populations that hunt different shark species.
Killer whales have increasingly been preying on dolphins in recent years. A recent report shows that now, new research indicates they have also devised a gruesome hunting strategy to target the livers of young great white sharks.
Hunting the world’s most formidable fish is no small feat, but the pod of killer whales in the Gulf of California has learned how to do it. They work together to flip the shark upside down, immobilizing it, and then extract its energy-rich liver for sharing.
Additionally, they have been captured on video executing this behavior.
Is this brutal behavior typical of killer whales? Yes, Professor Callum Roberts, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter not associated with the study, stated to BBC Science Focus.
“Orcas may be the most intelligent marine creatures, based on their innovative methods for hunting. Historically, killer whales targeted whales caught by industrial whalers and consumed their tongues.”
While killer whales have been observed preying on adult great white sharks in the past, these recent findings provide the first evidence of their strategic hunting techniques against them.
During their observations, the research team noted the pod killing not one, but two great white sharks in August 2020, and another pod consuming a third in 2022.
By pushing the shark to the surface and inverting it, the killer whales induce a state of tonic immobility in the shark due to the abrupt change in environment. In this vulnerable state, they can take what they want from the shark while leaving the rest behind.
Young sharks lack the experience to escape when a group is approaching. Researchers suggest that this implies killer whales may be hunting great whites more frequently than previously thought, as per findings in Frontiers of Marine Science.
“I believe that killer whales that target elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are capable of finding great whites whenever they choose,” said the study’s lead author, Eric Higuera Rivas.
“This behavior showcases the killer whales’ intelligence, strategic mindset, and advanced social learning, with hunting techniques evolving and being shared across generations within their pods.”
Climate change may play a significant role in this behavior. The intensification of the El Niño phenomenon, which results from warming in the Pacific Ocean, is expanding the habitat of great white sharks into killer whale territories. These regions are populated with young, inexperienced sharks, making them easy targets.
Experts worry that this behavior could be detrimental for the shark population.
“What benefits killer whales might not bode well for sharks. Both species are endangered,” Roberts noted. “Let’s hope they don’t spread these hunting strategies too widely.”
About our experts
Callum Roberts serves as Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Exeter and previously held the position of Chief Scientific Advisor for BBC One. He has authored several books, including the “Blue Planet II” series and Oceans of Life: How our oceans are changing (Penguin Books, £22) and Coral Reef Life (Profile Book, £12.99).
In the paper published online in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, marine biologists detail 34 interactions where killer whales (Orcinus orca) offered food to humans over the last 20 years. These incidents were reported in oceans worldwide, including locations from California to New Zealand, Norway, and Patagonia. The killer whales provided a diverse array of 18 species: six fish, five mammals, three invertebrates, two birds, one reptile, and one type of seaweed. The authors propose that these occurrences may illustrate a form of general altruism.
Case presented by Towers et al. Wild killer whale (Orcinus orca) utilized prey and other items to incite interactions with humans. Image credits: Towers et al., doi: 10.1037/com0000422.
Altruistic behaviors, such as sharing prey, are prosocial acts that can foster various forms of reciprocity.
Such relationship dynamics lay the groundwork for cerebral development related to the evolution of social norms in species like primates and dolphins.
Despite some cultures among these species benefiting from interactions with other mammals, documented cases of wild animals actively providing for humans are exceedingly rare.
“Orcas frequently share food with one another. It’s a prosocial behavior that helps them build relationships,” remarked Dr. Jared Towers, a researcher at Bay Setrogy.
“We are also intrigued by what they choose to share with people and how that relates to us.”
Dr. Towers and his collaborators, Dr. Ingrid Visser from the Orca Research Trust and Dr. Vanessa Prigollini from the Marine Education Association, collected and analyzed data on the 34 food distribution events they and others encountered.
In 11 cases, people were in the water when killer whales approached them. In 21 instances, they were on boats, and in two cases, they were on the shore.
Some instances were recorded through videos and photos, while others were documented via interviews with researchers.
All incidents had to meet strict criteria for inclusion in the analysis; each case required the whale to approach humans and present items voluntarily.
In every instance except one, killer whales observed the reactions after they offered food, and in seven instances, they initially refused to present it before trying multiple times.
“While domesticated animals like dogs and cats occasionally share food with humans, our study provides one of the first comprehensive accounts of such behaviors in non-domesticated species,” the scientists stated.
“This behavior makes sense, as killer whales are intelligent, social creatures that use food sharing to form relationships with both kin and non-kin.”
“They often hunt prey much larger than themselves.”
“By offering items to humans, they are presented with chances to practice, explore, and engage with the cultural behaviors typical of killer whales, while also learning to manipulate and enhance their interactions with us.”
“We believe that the cognitive abilities and social nature of these animals can help explain these behaviors.”
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JR Towers et al. 2025. Water Test: An Attempt by a Wild Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) to Provide for People (Homo sapiens). Journal of Comparative Psychology in press; doi: 10.1037/com0000422
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In this study, published this month in Current Biology, marine researchers reveal evidence of the widespread creation and utilization of grooming tools among the killer whale (Orcinus orca ater) population. I reside in the Salish Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean between British Columbia and Washington.
Arochelpin, a killer whale from Southern residents (Orcinus orca ater). Image credit: Weiss et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.021.
“We discovered that southern resident killer whales frequently utilize bull kelp during social interactions, seemingly as a tool for mutual grooming.”
“It was incredibly thrilling to observe not only the tool-making behavior of whales, but also the application of these objects in manners not previously documented in marine mammals.”
Dr. Weiss and his team identified this surprising behavior while conducting aerial observations of the southern resident killer whales, a population dwindling to fewer than 80 individuals in the Pacific Northwest.
Since 2018, they have been monitoring these whales to gain insights into their foraging and social habits.
“While other killer whale populations exist across the globe, the southern residents hold unique genetic, ecological, and cultural distinctions,” Dr. Weiss explained.
Using high-resolution video captured from aircraft, researchers discovered that the whales fashioned tools by breaking the edges of the kelp’s stems.
Subsequently, they applied the pieces of kelp to their companions and rolled it between their bodies for extended durations.
This behavior was noted among whales from all social groups, irrespective of gender or age.
They observed that whales were more inclined to groom closely-related companions or older partners.
Furthermore, there was some evidence suggesting that whales with more molting or damaged skin were more likely to engage in grooming, indicating potential hygienic benefits.
“What stands out is that despite this evidently common activity, it has only recently come to light, with drones frequently monitoring these whales for nearly 50 years,” said Dr. Weiss.
“This exemplifies not only the strength of new observational methods but also the many aspects of these creatures we have yet to uncover.”
“Although the whale population has been formally studied for five decades, it continues to yield significant new discoveries,” noted Rachel John, a student at the University of Exeter.
“Previous aerial footage lacked the quality needed to recognize ‘Allokelping’ (i.e., using kelp on another whale), but the recent video captures this behavior in remarkable detail.”
It is still uncertain whether this grooming behavior is exclusive to this population or if it is more commonly observed among other whale communities and species.
Regardless, this finding opens new pathways for understanding tool use in marine mammals and highlights the broader implications of such behaviors.
“We know tactile interactions are crucial,” remarked Professor Darren Croft, a researcher at the University of Exeter and the executive director of the Whale Research Center.
“In primates, including humans, these interactions can alleviate stress and strengthen social bonds.”
“Killer whales frequently make contact with other group members — touching their own bodies and fins — but employing kelp in this manner may enhance these experiences.”
“This behavior might also be vital for skin health. Whales and dolphins utilize various strategies to shed dead skin, and this could serve as an additional adaptation for that purpose.”
“Brown algae like bull kelp may possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that could offer extra benefits to the whales.”
“We are currently conducting further research to validate these initial findings and to investigate the social and skin health advantages of this behavior.”
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Michael N. Weiss et al. 2025. Manufacturing and use of similar tools by wild killer whales. Current Biology 35 (12): R599-R600; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.021
Researchers have found that endangered species of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest utilize tools crafted from kelp for mutual care.
A new study published in Current Biology reveals that scientists observed the Southern resident whales producing tools by tearing bull kelp and rolling it between each other during social interactions.
Drone footage captured the kelp being pushed against a companion, revealing a whale engaged in an extended grooming session.
“What’s particularly remarkable is that although this behavior appears to be common, despite the regular drone observations over these whales for nearly 50 years, it has never been documented.” stated Lead author Dr. Michael Weiss from the Whale Research Center in Friday Harbor, Washington.
The endangered Southern resident population has fewer than 80 individuals residing in the Salish Sea, situated between British Columbia and Washington.
While tool use is well recognized among primates, elephants, and birds, it remains scarce in marine species.
Weiss and her team observed this behavior across various age groups and social units, noting that whales are more inclined to groom relatives or older companions.
Two whales interact by rubbing against each other. These scrubs may serve hygienic functions. – Whale Research Center, NMFS NOAA permit 27038
Whales with greater amounts of dead skin participated more frequently in this behavior, suggesting a connection to hygiene.
The findings underscore the cultural identity of Southern residents and emphasize the necessity of conservation efforts. It remains uncertain whether this tool-assisted grooming is exclusive to this group or if it occurs in other whale populations.
Weiss remarked, “It was incredibly thrilling to discover that whales are not just utilizing tools but employing them in ways previously unreported in marine mammals.”
An orca was spotted balancing a salmon on its head in coastal waters off Washington state.
It's not clear what this behavior means, but killer whales have been previously observed performing the same behavior in the 1980s.
Southern killer whales are critically endangered and may be on their way to extinction.
Recently, a fascinating sight was witnessed off the coast of Washington state where an orca was seen balancing a salmon on its head, surprising both scientists and killer whale enthusiasts.
This particular endangered Southern killer whale, known as J27 or Blackberry, was spotted wearing a hat made of salmon near Point No Point in late October. According to Orca Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to species conservation.
This behavior of carrying salmon on their heads was previously observed in killer whales in the late 1980s, as mentioned by Deborah Giles, director of scientific research at Wild Orca. However, the significance of this behavior remains unclear.
Giles, who spends a significant amount of time studying orcas, witnessed another instance of this behavior recently, suggesting that it might be a common occurrence among southern killer whales.
The behavior of balancing a salmon on their heads could be attributed to various reasons such as sharing food with other pod members or using it as part of their social interactions. Nevertheless, this behavior indicates that the whales are well-fed and can engage in playful activities.
Despite conservation efforts, Southern killer whales are facing numerous threats that have contributed to their critically endangered status. The decline in prey availability, pollution, and disturbance from human activities are some of the key challenges faced by these whales.
Efforts are being made to protect and recover the Southern killer whale population, but more needs to be done to ensure their survival in the long run.
To collect information on the animals’ behaviors, Professor Andrew Treitz and his team at the University of British Columbia utilized drone footage and biological data from tags attached to 11 northern and southern resident killer whales in Queen Charlotte Sound, Queen Charlotte Strait, Johnston Strait, and Strait of Juan de Fuca along the British Columbia coast.
Still image from UAV drone video showing data logger placement and breathing. Image credit: McRae et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302758.
“Orcas are like sprinters; they lack the endurance for deep and prolonged dives like blue or humpback whales,” Professor Treitz noted.
Research revealed that killer whales predominantly spend their time off the coast of British Columbia, engaging in shallow dives lasting less than a minute.
An adult male recorded the longest dive time of 8.5 minutes.
By determining that the whales took only one breath during the dive, researchers could calculate their oxygen consumption rates per minute for adults and juveniles.
This information contributes to estimating the energy expenditure of killer whales and their daily fish consumption needs.
University of British Columbia student Tess McRae stated, “This will aid in understanding if killer whales, especially the endangered southern population, are obtaining sufficient food. It’s a critical aspect.”
The orcas in the study took 1.2 to 1.3 breaths per minute at rest, increasing to 1.5 to 1.8 breaths per minute while moving or hunting.
For comparison, humans typically take around 15 breaths per minute at rest and 40 to 60 breaths per minute during physical activity.
“It’s akin to holding your breath, rushing to the grocery store, shopping, and returning before being able to breathe again,” explained Dr. Beth Volpoff, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of British Columbia.
Published findings in the online journal PLoS ONE.
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TM McRae et al. 2024. Killer whale breathing rate. PLoS ONE 19 (5): e0302758; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302758
The ruler of the seas may appear black and white, but it’s not as simple as it seems. For years, great white sharks have been considered apex predators, but shocking new footage shows them feeding on their own kind. This is an event unlike anything we’ve seen before.
A video captured by tourists and scientists on a boat off the coast of Mossel Bay, South Africa was vital for scientific observations published in a recent study in the African Marine Science Journal. The footage revealed an unprecedented behavior of killer whales, showcasing their extraordinary abilities, according to the paper’s corresponding author, Dr. Alison Towner.
Witnesses on the boat watched as a juvenile great white shark, measuring 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), was attacked by a killer whale known as Starboard. The whale swiftly caught the shark by its left fin, thrusted it several times, and disemboweled it, likely targeting the shark’s liver for its rich nutrients. The entire attack lasted only two minutes, and the killer whale then revealed the shark’s entrails to the onlooking boats.
Subsequent research uncovered a second great white shark carcass nearby, measuring 3.6 meters (11.6 feet) in length.
In a previous study conducted in 2022, researchers found that killer whales can hunt great white sharks in pairs. By combining intelligence and strength, these whales can effectively surround and attack their prey. However, this recent attack marks the first time a killer whale has been observed hunting a great white shark alone.
This discovery not only enhances our understanding of killer whale behavior and marine ecosystems but also raises concerns among ecosystem scientists. There’s worry that if killer whales continue to prey on great whites, it could disrupt the food chain, allowing other predators to rise and challenge the great white sharks as the apex predators.
“Upon arriving at Seal Island in Mossel Bay, the smell of shark liver oil and an oil slick indicated a recent kill,” said a passenger on the boat named Esther Jacobs from the marine conservation initiative Keep Fin Alive.
“Seeing the fin of a great white shark break the water’s surface initially sparked excitement, but as the killer whale rapidly approached, it turned into a grim reality. The moment of predation was both devastating and incredibly powerful.”
Killer whale trapped in ice off the coast of Japan
NHK/Screenshot
A pod of more than a dozen killer whales has gone missing after languishing in Japan's icy waters for nearly a day, trying to escape being trapped in an ice floe. It is unknown what happened to them, but they may have died.
Fishermen near Hokkaido first noticed the pods struggling in the thick mud early Tuesday morning. Images and drone video show at least 12 orcas. Several boys struggle in a small space It was trapped in heavy ice about 1 km offshore.
As of Wednesday morning, The containment area was empty.Japanese news outlet NHK said it gave hope that the animals may have escaped to the open waters of the Sea of Okhotsk.
However, late Tuesday afternoon, a pod of 17 orcas was found trapped on an ice floe 2 kilometers northeast of their original location. NHK reporting.
“Orcas are not ice-adapted whales. They are not comfortable in this area.” colin galloway at the University of Manitoba, Canada. “So they are definitely experiencing the stress of confinement and are more likely to be starving.”
Cetaceans that permanently inhabit the Arctic region, such as narwhals (Monodon Monoceros) and belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), can sometimes become trapped in ice. Killer whale (killer whale) However, they usually avoid heavy ice and avoid getting trapped.
Still, black-and-white marine mammals can end up in icy waters at the wrong time.in 2016 reviewScientists found that since 1840, there have been 17 incidents in the Northern Hemisphere where a total of 100 orcas were trapped in ice. Almost half of them occurred in the Sea of Okhotsk, Japan. Confinement usually ends in the killer whale's death, Galloway said.
Scientists believe that even the reported orcas “broken freedomAfter being trapped in the ice, they can die struggling through further ice drifts while trying to reach the open sea.
Global warming may indeed be playing a role, Galloway says. His team is currently investigating the environmental impact of killer whales' gradual northward migration. But it's also possible that entrapment incidents simply appear to be more common because people are reporting more incidents.
“Just because we've gotten better at detecting, observing, and recording climate warming, and we're more interested in it, it's very difficult to disentangle the relationship between climate warming.” “That's one of the predictions,” he says.
It’s easy to be misunderstood if your name has the word “murderer” in it.
Still, it appears to have been a wild year for killer whales. From “attacking” and sinking several boats off the coast of southwest Europe to hunting great white sharks around South Africa and Australia, this black-and-white behemoth is living up to its name as of 2023. It looked like.
The whale’s surprising behavior has repeatedly put the spotlight on one of the ocean’s top predators since spring, spawning internet memes and wondering if the whale is just playing around or planning revenge. It’s fueling debate about what’s going on.
But for scientists, the recent orca antics are more fascinating than horrifying, with some saying they show how much there is still to learn about these highly intelligent marine animals.
Perhaps the biggest orca news of the year was a series of mysterious incidents in which killer whales appeared to ram boats off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. In May, three killer whales collided with the rudder and side of a sailing yacht in the area, causing the yacht to sink.
This “attack” comes amid an observed increase in encounters between killer whales and boats since 2020. Monica Wieland Shields, director of the Orca Behavior Institute, a nonprofit research institute in Washington, said hundreds of incidents have been reported during this time.
At least four ships have sunk in the past two years due to the damage, she said.
No injuries or deaths were reported, and in most cases the whales did not sink boats. However, the incident became so famous that it sparked a meme that heralded the beginning of the “Orca Rebellion” and the “Orca Wars.” Many social media users supported “Team Killer Whales” and claimed that whales had finally fought back against humans.
But Shields said the sinking evoked real fear as well as light-hearted fun.
“So many people have come to my state of Washington this year and asked, ‘Is it safe to see whales here? How big is our boat? Is it possible that a whale will attack this ship?” she said. “I’m worried that instead of people leaving with a sense of respect and fascination with whales, they’re leaving with a fear of whales that’s probably not warranted.”
Among experts, the incident off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula is puzzling and has sparked debate about the whale’s intentions.
Many scientists believe that killer whales do not attack at all.
“They’re not afraid of boats, and there’s nothing to eat there,” said Robert Pittman, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Research Institute. “They are intelligent, social animals, but they probably live in environments that are less stimulating for their mental abilities.”
So whales sometimes stumble upon something they find interesting and repeat the behavior for a while, he said.
Shields said videos of some of the incidents do not appear to show the killer whale intentionally aiming at the boat’s rudder or hull. Rather, she thought, the animals were likely acting out of curiosity and playfulness.
Josh McInnes, a behavioral ecologist at the University of British Columbia, agreed, noting that killer whales are known to engage in social learning by spreading and picking up behaviors within their pods. That could explain the series of boat encounters, he said.
Mr McInnes compared the behavior to roughhousing.
“Orcas are very athletic. They can grow up to 25 feet long and weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so when they come into physical contact with objects, they can get a little bit forceful,” he said.
Mr Shields said given the whale’s size, it would likely cause much more damage to ships and yachts if it carried out a coordinated attack.
Additionally, the idea that whales are standing up and fighting back doesn’t fit with what scientists know about killer whales.
“Orcas just want to have fun,” Pittman said. “Revenge is not inherently beneficial. Unless you are human, you have no adaptive capacity at all.”
But encounters between killer whales and boats weren’t the only stories making headlines this year. The whale also attracted attention for its ruthless hunting techniques.
In October, the carcass of a great white shark with its liver ripped out washed up on a beach near Portland, Australia. Researchers determined that killer whales were the culprit.
McInnes said killer whales do not normally prey on sharks, but they are capable of preying on sharks and have been previously observed preying on them in waters of Australia, Africa and even the Pacific Northwest. It is said that there is.
And why were sharks missing certain organs? Experts say this was purely practical.
“Sharks generally aren’t very nutritious for killer whales because they’re made of cartilage,” McInnes said. “But the liver is rich in fats and lipids, so it’s a very nutritious part to eat.”
In the past, killer whales have been known to target the liver when preying on sharks. Since 2017, scientists have been tracking the hunts of two killer whales, Port and Starboard, who killed at least eight great white sharks off the coast of South Africa and washed their liverless carcasses ashore.
In a video taken by a whale watching expedition off the coast of San Diego, a killer whale teaches its baby how to hunt by headbutting a dolphin. Erika Sacrison / Gone Whale Watching
However, orca behavior recorded in different parts of the world is generally unrelated. McInnes said different populations of killer whales are genetically distinct and do not normally socialize or interact.
But by studying all the observed events, scientists can gain broader insight into what killer whales are capable of and how they live.
Shields said she had “mixed feelings” about the attention that killer whales will receive in 2023. If anything, she said she hopes the headline will inspire people to get more involved in conservation efforts.
“I really hope that people take away from these stories a certain fascination and appreciation for killer whales,” Shields said. “They are found in every ocean and are present all over the planet. The ocean body closest to where you live is probably home to killer whales. So there’s a lot to learn. there is.”
A rare video was captured this week by a whale-watching trip off the coast of San Diego, showing an orca teaching its baby how to hunt by headbutting a dolphin and flipping it over multiple times in the air.
Wildlife filmmaker Domenic Biagini, who shot the footage, described the scene, saying: “The killer whale catches the dolphin, but when the dolphin slows down, he releases it after it is subdued and brings the baby killer whale with him to catch it himself.” “Seeing that level of communication and understanding was like watching a family.”
Biagini owns Gone Whale Watching, one of several companies that spotted a pod of six orcas off the coast of San Diego on Monday. He said the orca hunt took about 30 minutes, which was much longer than the average orca hunt because he was teaching orca pups.
According to marine biologist Alisa Shulman Janiger, killer whales are among the ocean’s apex predators and are known to incorporate their large size and speed into their hunting strategies. She added that it is common for orcas to slow down the prey and show the children how to hunt.
Shulman-Janiger explained that the killer whales in the video are so young that their eye patches are yellow instead of white, a color that eventually fades as they get older.
Where do whales come from?
Shulman Janiger said the whale in Biagini’s footage is an eastern tropical Pacific orca, which typically lives in waters off Mexico and Central America. They are rarely seen in the relatively warm, calm waters of Southern California.
Speaking about the hunting behavior, Biagini said, “We try to explain to our guests that while what whales do to dolphins can sometimes be very gruesome, this is normal and healthy.”
Biagini also mentioned that after Monday’s hunt, the killer whales approached the boat to see what was going on and began to poke their heads out of the water, which is a behavior known as spy hopping.
‘Remember us at your Thanksgiving feast’: Killer whales celebrate the hunt
Biagini said the killer whales often celebrate after a successful hunt and zigzag back and forth through the water. He compared it to the feeling of happiness and smiling after a Thanksgiving meal.
Additionally, Biagini expressed concern about the increasing number of boats getting close to orcas to film social media videos, urging people to film animals in the most ethical way.
Danger of flocking to whale watching
Biagini also raised concerns about the number of boats surrounding the pod of killer whales, stating that too many boats with inexperienced operators could interfere with their hunting behavior or lead to collisions.
In a video he shot, a man driving a boat by himself abandons the wheel to lean out onto the deck to record the video.
Overall, Biagini emphasized the importance of being stewards of animals and approaching them in an ethical way.
Killer whales have been observed harassing porpoises in the Salish Sea, a behavior that has puzzled scientists for years. A study by Wild Orca and the SeaDoc Society at the University of California, Davis is investigating what may be behind it.Credit: Wild Orca
Scientists are investigating mysterious behavior.
Scientists have long been perplexed by the behavior of fish-eating killer whales in the Pacific Northwest. Killer whales have been seen harassing porpoises and sometimes killing them instead of eating them.
In a recently published study, marine mammal scienceCo-led by Deborah Giles of Wild Killer Whales and Sarah Teman of the Sea Dog Society, a program at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the 60-year record between southern killer whales and porpoises in the Salish Sea We investigated the above interactions. You can better understand why they exhibit this behavior.
Southern killer whales are endangered, with only 75 individuals left. Their survival is closely tied to the fate of Chinook salmon, which is also an endangered species. seed. Without enough Chinook salmon, these whales are at risk of extinction.
“I’m often asked: Why don’t southerners eat seals and porpoises instead?” Giles said. “That’s because fish-eating killer whales have a completely different ecology and culture than marine mammal-eating killer whales, even though they live in the same ocean area. Therefore, interactions with porpoises We must conclude that there is another purpose, but this purpose has hitherto been speculative.”
Three plausible explanations
Scientists recorded instances of southern resident killer whales harassing porpoises as early as 1962, but the reason for this behavior remained a mystery for a long time. Giles, Teman, and a team of collaborators analyzed his 78 porpoise harassment incidents recorded from 1962 to 2020. This study suggests three plausible explanations.
Social play: Harassing porpoises may be a form of social play for killer whales. Like many intelligent species, these whales may engage in playful activities to bond, communicate, or simply have fun. This behavior can benefit group coordination and teamwork.
Hunting practice: Another hypothesis suggests that harassing porpoises may hone their salmon-hunting skills. Southern resident killer whales may view porpoises as moving targets to practice their hunting skills, even if they don’t intend to eat them.
Abusive behavior: This theory suggests that the whales may be trying to care for porpoises that they perceive to be weak or sick. This is an expression of the whale’s natural tendency to help other dolphins in the group. Females have been seen carrying dead calves, as well as porpoises.
“Abusive behavior, also known to scientists as ‘left-behind behavior,’ may be due to children having limited opportunities to care for them,” Giles explained. “Our research found that malnutrition causes nearly 70 percent of southern killer whale pregnancies to miscarry or for the calves to die shortly after birth.”
salmon specialist
Despite these interesting insights, Giles, Teman, and their collaborators acknowledge that the exact reasons behind porpoise harassment may never be fully understood. .But what is clear is that porpoises do not have Part of the diet of southern resident killer whales. Southern killer whales have a diet so specialized in salmon that the idea of them eating porpoises is highly unlikely.
“Orcas are incredibly complex and intelligent animals. We found that harassing behavior toward porpoises has been passed down through generations and across social groups. It’s a great example,” says Teman. “Still, we don’t expect southern-dwelling killer whales to start eating porpoises. The salmon-eating culture is deeply rooted in southern-dwelling societies. For these whales to survive, healthy salmon populations are essential. We need numbers.”
This study highlights the importance of protecting salmon populations in the Salish Sea and throughout whale range. Maintaining an adequate supply of salmon is critical to the survival and well-being of Southern killer whales and the overall health of the Salish Sea ecosystem.
affinity for play
The study was conducted at a time when distinct killer whale populations on the Iberian Peninsula drew international headlines for interacting, sinking ships three times off the coasts of Portugal and Spain. After all, southern killer whales and killer whales of the Iberian Peninsula are two distinct populations with different cultures. What the two have in common is an affinity for play behavior.
Reference: “Harassment and Killing of Porpoises by Fish-Eating Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) (‘Phocoenacide’)” Deborah A. Giles, Sarah J. Teman, Samuel Ellis, John K.B. Ford, Monica W. Shields, M. Bradley Hanson, Candice K. Emmons, Paul E. Cottrell, Robin W. Baird, Richard W. Osborn, Michael Weiss, David K. Ellifritt. , Jennifer K. Olson, Jared R. Towers, Graham Ellis, Dena Matkin, Courtney E. Smith, Stephen A. Laverty, Stephanie A. Norman, Joseph K. Gaydos, September 28, 2023 , marine mammal science.
This research was funded by Wild Orca and the SeaDoc Society. Additional partners include the University of Exeter, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Orca Behavior Institute, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Cascadia Research Institute, Whale Museum, Center for Whale Research, Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) at Everett Community College, and Gulf Zoology. , North Gulf Coast Marine Society, George Mason University, Institute of Marine Medicine.
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