Current Issue

Themelin, M., Manitzas Hill, H. M., Robeck, T., Felice, M., & Dudzinski, K. M. (2026). Exploring association and social networks based on proximity and inter-individual interactions in a group of managed care killer whales. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 13(4), 385-406.  https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.13.04.04.2026

Killer whale societies have been investigated worldwide using association patterns and social network analysis. From residents living in enclosed matrilineal groups to the more flexible, fission-fusion-like groups, more details about killer whale societies continue to emerge. Despite these efforts, systematic investigation of inter-individual killer whale social exchanges remains sparse. Using frameworks established with in situ populations, we explored association and interactions networks of ex situ killer whales. Network analyses aligned with findings from in situ populations and showed that interaction networks were influenced by sex, and maybe age, whereas association networks were not. All individuals engaged socially with other group members and network analyses showed a well-connected group with no marginal individuals. Males were more central than females in both networks, which is contrary to other in situ studies, though our group composition might have impacted these findings. The youngest individual was more central and the oldest less central and less social in general, which aligns with other in situ observations. Overall, these results support two assumptions: 1) this group of ex situ killer whales generally exhibit social dynamics similar to in situ killer whales, though a few differences were observed, and 2) social management by the husbandry team for this group is in accordance with their individual association preferences. Group dynamics observed for these killer whales will inform the next phase of our longitudinal study focusing on social behaviors from underwater, which may allow insight into the evolution of both association and interaction networks for these killer whales over time.  

Killer whale, Orcinus orca, Social behavior, Sociality, Individual preference, Managed care, Social network analysis