Overview
- Published in Scientific Reports, the two‑week 2020 study used drones, underwater video, acoustics and movement tags to track nine resident orcas and nearby Pacific white‑sided dolphins.
- Researchers logged 258 joint sightings, with orcas orienting toward dolphins more than 100 times and changing course to follow them during dives in 25 instances.
- Eight Chinook salmon captures were recorded with sharing among orcas; dolphins were in close proximity in four cases and once consumed leftovers.
- No aggressive behavior toward the dolphins was observed during these interactions, challenging assumptions about interspecies competition.
- The authors propose a scouting role for dolphins as a hypothesis, note the short study window and limited sample, and have released videos and data to support further research.