In the summer of 1987, orcas from the Pacific Northwest’s “southern resident” population caught the attention of human observers by displaying an unusual behavior: wearing dead salmon on their heads as a fashion statement. This trend started with one female orca and quickly spread to other killer whales in different pods. However, the practice seemed to have faded away over time, resembling a bygone era like the poodle perm hairstyle.
Surprisingly, over the past few weeks, there have been sightings of at least one killer whale still sporting this throwback accessory. Photographer Jim Pasola captured a male orca named J27 Blackberry proudly showcasing a fishy adornment near Washington state’s Kitsap Peninsula on October 25th.
The resurgence of this ’80s trend has left researchers and orca enthusiasts puzzled. Deborah Giles, the research director for Wild Orca, expressed her excitement at witnessing this behavior once again but admitted that the reason behind it remains a mystery. Some experts speculate that the revival of this behavior may be linked to the abundance of food supply in the orcas’ feeding grounds. Currently, South Puget Sound is experiencing a surplus of chum salmon, which could be a contributing factor.
Andrew Trites, the director of the University of British Columbia’s Marine Mammal Research Unit, shared a similar perspective, suggesting that the orcas engaging in this behavior may be doing so out of enjoyment. He theorizes that the presence of full bellies and free time could be prompting the killer whales to play with their food, leading to the reemergence of this quirky trend.
The occurrence of orcas wearing dead salmon on their heads is not only a fascinating spectacle but also highlights the playful and curious nature of these marine mammals. As researchers continue to monitor and study this behavior, it offers valuable insights into the complex lives of orcas and their interactions with the environment.
In related news, incidents of orcas exhibiting unusual behavior such as sinking boats have been reported in Europe and Scotland, indicating a possible trend that is spreading among killer whale populations. While these behaviors may seem alarming, experts suggest that they could be attributed to playful instincts rather than aggressive intent. Further research and observation are necessary to fully understand the motivations behind these intriguing behaviors exhibited by orcas.
