Ocean Allies: Orcas and Dolphins Team Up to Hunt
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Marine biologists have documented a world-first discovery off the coast of Canada: Pacific white-sided dolphins and Orcas are working together in a strategic hunting alliance. A study published in December 2025 provides the first conclusive evidence of this interspecies cooperation.
Using drones and underwater “biologging” tags, researchers found that the agile dolphins act as “acoustic scouts.” Their superior echolocation allows them to track Chinook salmon in deep water, while the larger Orcas follow their lead to intercept the prey.
The partnership is mutually beneficial: the Orcas save energy by letting the dolphins find the fish, and the dolphins scavenge the nutrient-rich scraps left behind after an Orca kill. Since these specific “Resident” Orcas eat only fish, the dolphins are safe from predation. “This is a highly sophisticated alliance that highlights the deep social intelligence of marine mammals,” the researchers noted.
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Rise Of The Planet of The Cetaceans
Ocean Allies: Orcas and Dolphins Team Up to Hunt
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Marine biologists have documented a world-first discovery off the coast of Canada: Pacific white-sided dolphins and Orcas are working together in a strategic hunting alliance. A study published in December 2025 provides the first conclusive evidence of this interspecies cooperation.
Using drones and underwater “biologging” tags, researchers found that the agile dolphins act as “acoustic scouts.” Their superior echolocation allows them to track Chinook salmon in deep water, while the larger Orcas follow their lead to intercept the prey.
The partnership is mutually beneficial: the Orcas save energy by letting the dolphins find the fish, and the dolphins scavenge the nutrient-rich scraps left behind after an Orca kill. Since these specific “Resident” Orcas eat only fish, the dolphins are safe from predation. “This is a highly sophisticated alliance that highlights the deep social intelligence of marine mammals,” the researchers noted.
This is a selfwritten article by Serafin Zufferey, written with the help of following [source](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/15/science/dolphins-orcas-whales-hunt-fish)
It’s because, even thought they fight…they are friends shaped like friends.
Salmon
Fabulous news
Salmon
Hey! Leave some for the rest of us!
Must be a bummer if you mistake a transient orca for one of the resident orcas. Residents eat only fish, transients eat dolphins and other mammals.
they’re friends ❤️
I’m guessing they can easily tell them apart. Something tells me the transient orcas don’t pretend to be nice and friendly to the dolphins.
Plural of salmon is “salmon”.
First time ever documentation of orcas and dolphins hunting SALMON together.
I wasn’t expecting the “fin cam.”
The one dolphin appeared fluorescent when it dove. Could be just the sun light and shadows.
Leave some salmon for the rest of us fellas, geez
Dolphins must seem like hobbits to orcas
Salmons?