Professor Finds Killer Whales
Kiss And Make Up

Thursday, August 17, 2006
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - A new discovery by Canisius College Professor of Animal Behavior, Michael Noonan, PhD, has found killer whales to be among those species that reconcile their differences.

In most animal species, periods of aggression are thought to be followed by cooling-off periods, during which behavior gradually returns to normal. Humans use special pro-social behaviors that can accelerate the process of moving past post-agonistic hostility in a process termed reconciliation. Similar behaviors that appear to play such a role have also been identified in some primate species such as chimpanzees and macaques.

In Noonan’s study, the aftermath of aggressive outbursts in a captive population of orcas was researched to investigate the possibility that reconciliation might exist in this species, as well. Although aggressive behavior between killer whales is reported to be rare, Noonan and his colleagues identified 21 squabbles. Many of these involved several whales and were complicated interactions. Eight were unambiguous quarrels between a father and a mother. Each time, mom chased her partner, who would flee to evade her. This would continue intermittently for several minutes, after which the two would separate for a cooling off period of approximately 10 minutes and then engage in a six to 10 minute period of close echelon (synchronous) swimming, side by side.

“The sudden, close, physical proximity and precise coordination that occurred during the echelon swimming bouts suggest a re-establishment of social bonds in a way that is compatible with the notion of post-agonistic reconciliation,” says Noonan. “If so, this behavior adds to the ways in which killer whales show convergence with humans and other primates, and offers a window for studying the evolution of peacemaking in complex societies.”

The new evidence comes from 2,800 hours of killer whale videotape recorded by Noonan at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Noonan's study is co-authored by his student Cerrene Giordano.

For more information on Noonan’s research, contact the Public Relations Office at Canisius College at (716) 888-2790.

Canisius College is one of 28 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.

Source: Canisius College