A Deadly Lesson

Thursday, August 25, 2005
NIAGRA FALLS, ONTARIO - Killer whales are learning new ways to capture prey, it's been discovered.

They are luring birds close enough to pounce by spitting regurgitated fish on to the water's surface.

And other wily whales are copying the technique, showing cultural learning is common in the animal kingdom, scientists say.

The findings were made at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada, where a four-yearold orca began snaring birds.

Soon, other whales were doing the same.

Dr Michael Noonan, of Canisius College, New York, made the discovery. He said: "They catch three or four gulls this way some days.

Source: The Daily Record