The oceans still hold many mysteries, and orcas have just surprised us once again. In 2025, an unexpected phenomenon captured the attention of researchers and marine life enthusiasts: the adoption of calves by orcas. These majestic predators, often perceived as fearsome, are revealing an unsuspected facet of their social behavior.
This discovery raises many questions about family dynamics and interspecies interactions in the marine world. Dive into this article to explore this astonishing display of benevolence and understand what it could mean for the future of our oceans.
Unexpected adoption: a rare phenomenon observed in Iceland
Marine biologists in Iceland recently witnessed a surprising event: the adoption of a baby pilot whale by a pod of orcas. Initially, Chérine Baumgartner and her team from the Icelandic Orca Project thought they were observing a malformed orca calf.
However, after closer observation, they realized it was a pilot whale. This discovery caused astonishment among researchers, who then noticed several similar cases in 2022 and 2023. Scientists are exploring various hypotheses to explain this unusual behavior, ranging from hunting to play, or even a form of protection or care for the young cetacean.
Theories and behaviors: Understanding interactions between killer whales and pilot whales
In a study published in *Ecology and Evolution*, researchers have proposed three theories to explain this intriguing orca behavior towards baby pilot whales. They suggest that orcas could either be hunting these young cetaceans, playing with them, or even protecting them. Observations from 2022 and 2023 show calves swimming in echelon position alongside adult killer whales, sometimes pushed by the latter.
This protective behavior, while surprising for known predators, could be influenced by environmental factors such as climate change, which is pushing pilot whales into killer whale territories.
Ecological issues and open questions
Climate change could play a crucial role in this unusual coexistence between orcas and pilot whales. Indeed, ocean warming is altering the migratory routes of marine species, pushing pilot whales to follow schools of mackerel towards colder waters, where killer whales reside. This raises questions about how species adapt to climate change.
At the same time, marine research is being enriched by fascinating observations, such as that of the colossal squid, which offer valuable insights into oceanic biodiversity. Understanding these complex interactions is essential to anticipate the future impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.
