Orca Spotted Wearing Dead Salmon Revives Decades-Old Mystery

Scientists are puzzled by the rare behavior, speculating it may be playful or symbolic, as food supplies for the endangered species improve.

An orca was photographed in Puget Sound, Washington, on October 25 with a dead salmon balanced on its head, echoing a similar behavior first observed in the 1980s.
Researchers have no definitive explanation but suggest the behavior could be playful, symbolic, or a result of social mimicry among the whales.
Experts note that the phenomenon coincides with an abundant chum salmon run, which may indicate the orcas are well-fed and have leisure time for such activities.
The behavior was last widely observed in 1987, when orcas across multiple pods adopted the 'salmon hat' trend, which faded by the end of that year.
The sighting is seen as a positive sign for the endangered southern resident killer whale population, which has faced challenges due to food scarcity in the past.