Researchers have discovered a surprising partnership between dolphins and humans in Laguna, Brazil, where they cooperate in hunting mullet, increasing the catch for both species. The dolphins use their ability to herd fish toward the fishermen as a way to maximize their own catch, working together to trap the mullet in shallow waters before the humans cast their nets. This unique interaction between two top predators shows a rare level of coordination, with each species combining their complementary skills to benefit from the collaborative effort.
Using drones to film the dolphins foraging behavior in Laguna, researchers found that successful joint interactions between humans and dolphins occurred when the dolphins approached the fishermen along several trajectories and synchronized their dives. The distance between individuals when they surfaced, the alignment of their swimming trajectories, and the coordination of their dives all played a role in the success of the cooperation. These behaviors demonstrate a high level of coordination that allows the dolphins to adapt to and capitalize on human activities, showcasing the complexity of their partnership.
Understanding the tactics that lead to successful foraging outcomes is crucial for maintaining and prolonging this unique hunting partnership between dolphins and humans. By analyzing the behavior patterns of the dolphins and humans during these joint interactions, researchers hope to uncover more insights into the dynamics of their collaboration. By developing an AI model to extract patterns from drone videos and analyzing physiological data from the humans involved, researchers aim to gain a deeper understanding of the decision-making processes that contribute to the success of their joint efforts.
Researchers are also exploring the possibility of gathering physiological data from dolphins involved in these cooperative foraging activities, hoping to someday track their behaviors in a similar way as they do with the human fishermen. Cantor and his team are looking into developing technology that can monitor the health and activity levels of dolphins in the wild, similar to a Fitbit for marine animals, to further understand the role of physiology in their hunting behaviors. This ongoing research aims to uncover more about the intricacies of this unique interspecies cooperation and shed light on the mutual benefits of human-animal partnerships in the natural world.
