Two whales allokelping, with a small length of kelp stem visible between them. (Credit: Center for Whale Research, NMFS NOAA Permit 27038) In a nutshell Southern resident killer whales are making tools from kelp to groom each other—the first documented case of tool manufacturing in marine mammals This “allokelping” behavior involves coordinated teamwork between whale pairs and appears to serve both hygiene and social bonding functions The behavior is unique to this critically endangered population and could be threatened by climate change affecting kelp forests ================================================================= FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. — Scientists have spotted something extraordinary: killer whales are crafting their...