Filmed orcas to use tools for the first time

A team of researchers found that a Pacific -threatened orcas population uses algae tools to treat each other – behavior never before seen in marine mammals.

In a new one, published on Monday in Current Biologyscientists describe to have observed orcas to manufacture tools ripping pieces of giant algae and curling them between their bodies during social interactions.

Drone images captured these orcas to press the algae against your companions and using them in prolonged treatment sessions.

“What is more remarkable is that although this apparently is common behavior-seeing it on most days when we fly our drone over these orcas-it had not yet been discovered in this population despite almost 50 years of observation,” he says Michael WeissNGO Marine Biologist The Center for Whale Research and main author of the study, in a statement published in.

“Discovering that the orcas were not just using but also to manufacture tools, and that these objects were being used in a way never before reported in marine mammals, It was incredibly exciting“Weiss adds.

“Although there are other orcas around the world, these copies represent a population genetically, ecologically and culturally distinct“Says Weiss.

Through the high resolution filming collected, the researchers found that whales created their tools Parting the ends of the stems of giant algae. Then they pressed pieces of algae against a partner and rolled the algae between their bodies for long periods of time.

The population of Pacific Orcas, critically threatenedcurrently has less than 80 individualswho live in the sea of ​​Salish, which is located between the British Columbia and the state of Washington.

Although the Use of tools is well documented in primates, elephants and birds, remains rare among marine animals.

Weiss and colleagues observed this behavior in All age groups and social units, noting that the orcas were more likely to treat relatives or similar age partners.

Researchers also found evidence that individuals with more dead skin were more likely to participate in cleaningwhich suggests that behavior can have a hygienic function.

It continues to know if this tool -assisted treatment is unique to this group – or occurs in other orcas populations.