A solitary bottlenose dolphin named Bubbles has been documented deliberately chasing Bigeye Trevally near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef until the fish vomit their meals, allowing the marine mammal to feed on the regurgitated food. Published on September 13 in the journal Ecology and Evolution, the study records what researchers describe as potential first direct evidence of kleptoparasitism in cetaceans.
Documenting Cetacean Kleptoparasitism Near Lady Elliot Island
Researchers recorded 20 distinct encounters between 2021 and 2025 near Lady Elliot Island. Out of those observations, 11 instances involved Bubbles pursuing a Bigeye Trevally until the fish was forced to expel its stomach contents. Once the fish vomited, the dolphin consumed the discarded food while the prey swam away, according to the study data.
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort staff initially identified the animal informally as Bubbles. Researchers subsequently confirmed via photo-identification that every single observed encounter involved this exact individual dolphin, distinguished by unique fin notches and a V-shaped scar on his right flank.
Did You Know?
While kleptoparasitism—the intentional theft of food from another animal—is a widely documented foraging strategy across many taxa, it has rarely been observed in aquatic species, particularly marine mammals like dolphins, porpoises, and whales.
Behavioral Mechanics of the Dolphin’s Hunt
Video footage analyzed by the study team shows Bubbles actively scanning schools of trevally before targeting a single fish. During close pursuit, the dolphin closely mirrors the target fish’s sharp turns. Researchers also captured intense echolocation click trains and low-frequency sounds emitted by Bubbles during these individual chases.
The persistence of the tactic is notable. Observers documented the dolphin repeating the entire sequence as many as 10 times within a single 30-minute window. However, researchers noted they never observed the dolphin actually consuming the trevally itself during these specific interactions.
Energy Efficiency and Future Research Questions
Scientists investigating the behavior suggest that forcing prey to regurgitate may offer an energy-efficient alternative to traditional independent hunting methods. Despite this potential advantage, researchers cautioned that the true profitability of the strategy remains unclear without gathering additional data on Bubbles’ broader, day-to-day foraging habits.
The study characterizes the behavior as a specialized, solitary feeding tactic. Further observation is still required to determine whether Bubbles figured out this unusual method entirely on his own or if other dolphins inhabiting the area utilize the same technique.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kleptoparasitism in marine mammals?
Kleptoparasitism is the deliberate theft of food obtained by another animal. The recent study published in Ecology and Evolution suggests Bubbles the dolphin’s habit of chasing fish until they vomit is the first direct evidence of this behavior in cetaceans.
How do researchers identify Bubbles?
Researchers confirmed Bubbles’ identity using photo-identification, noting distinct fin notches and a V-shaped scar located on the right flank of the bottlenose dolphin.
Where did these dolphin encounters take place?
The 20 recorded encounters took place near Lady Elliot Island close to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef between 2021 and 2025.
Join the Conversation
What do you think about Bubbles’ unusual foraging strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on marine research and wildlife discoveries.
Worth a look