Orca spotted wearing salmon hat in Puget Sound sparks interest

A male orca named J27, also known as "Blackberry," was recently spotted in Puget Sound wearing a salmon on his head, reminiscent of a similar behavior observed in 1987. This sighting has generated excitement, but no additional images of orcas wearing salmon hats have emerged since. The Orca Network noted that the Southern Resident orcas, which include J Pod, gather annually in Puget Sound to hunt salmon. Despite the recent sighting, researchers have not documented a widespread return of this behavior among the orcas. Experts suggest that the orcas may wear salmon hats for playful reasons or as a way to share food within their social groups. The behavior could reinforce social bonds among the orcas, similar to past instances when it became popular.