Orcas use kelp tools to groom and bond off B.C.’s coast, study suggests

In luxurious spas around the world, kelp facials and body wraps are all the rage, but in the Salish Sea off the coast of British Columbia, southern resident killer whales are using sea plants in a whole new way. Researchers have observed the endangered whales breaking off pieces of kelp and using them as tools, pressed between their bodies. This behavior, which has never been documented before, has scientists intrigued about both the hygienic and social purposes behind it.

The Center for Whale Research has been studying the southern resident killer whales for nearly 50 years, but it wasn’t until they acquired a new drone with a zoom lens that they were able to capture this unique behavior. Michael Weiss, the lead author of a recent study published in the journal Current Biology, believes that there is still much to learn from these whales and other less well-studied populations.

While tool use is more common among primates and birds, it is rare in the marine environment due to the lack of grasping limbs. However, the southern resident killer whales are breaking the mold by combining tool use with social grooming behaviors. This unique behavior has not been seen in other whale populations, making it an exciting discovery for researchers.

The researchers observed the behavior across all social groups, sexes, and age classes, demonstrating that it is an important part of the whales’ social lives. They are now interested in studying how the skill is learned and the social bonds that the use of kelp helps create among the whales.

The southern resident orcas are a unique population with their own dialects and calls, making them a culturally distinct group. With their population dwindling to just 73 individuals, conservation efforts are crucial to protect this special group of whales. Losing them would not only be a loss for the world but also a loss of something truly unique and irreplaceable.

As researchers continue to study the behavior of the southern resident killer whales and learn more about the importance of kelp in their social interactions, it becomes increasingly clear that conservation efforts are essential to preserve their unique culture for future generations.