Michael Weiss

Michael Weiss, research director at the Center for Whale Research, dives into the fascinating world of southern resident orcas and their surprising use of kelp as grooming tools. He discusses how this behavior serves as a social bonding ritual among these intelligent marine mammals. Drones have captured their playful interactions, revealing that the kelp not only helps with skin irritations but enhances their social connectivity. Weiss emphasizes the importance of studying these unique behaviors for future marine research, highlighting the complexity of orca social dynamics.