Killer Whales Join the Learning Circle
What do killer whales and chimpanzees have in common? Based on physical appearance, basically nothing. Mentally however, these two creatures do have something in common, they are both highly intelligent and are both among a very select group of animals who are capable of cultural learning. In a recent study at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, an inventive killer whale devised a brand new way to catch birds, and passed the strategy on to the other killer whales. They would regurgitate fish to the surface of the water and wait for gulls to come feed. As soon as the gulls appeared the killer whale would lunge forward a inhale the gull.
Similar cultural learning has been seen in dolphins, but the evidence from the killer whales is much more conclusive because the process was observed from start to finish. Somehow I don’t see this killer whale trick going over too will with the children visiting Marineland.
Story via NewScientist.com
