News and Events

National Geographic Society Launches the Wildlife Intelligence Project
National Geographic Socity: 02/21/2024

Maurico Cantor has been appointed as a National Geographic Explorer as part of the Wildlife Intelligence Project. This new initiative will fund and follow three early career scientists as they embark on animal cognition and behavior research that will potentially change how humans view, interact, and connect with wildlife. 

The fate of a century-old partnership between humans and dolphins
The Science Breaker: 09/04/2023

Humans’ interactions with nature have been the key to our global ecological success. But such interactions are typically one-sided — humans gain the largest benefits; nature pays the larger cost. Interactions that benefit both humans and nature are rare. Can we prevent remaining human–wildlife cooperation from turning into another human–nature conflict?

When wild dolphins help humans fish, both benefit
PBS Nova: 02/04/2023

In a study published this week, scientists have zeroed in on just how the fishers and dolphins synchronize their hunts and how both sides benefit in the short and long term. The team, led by marine biologist Mauricio Cantor of Oregon State University, concluded that the situation is one of true mutualism.

Humans and dolphins work together to fish in southern Brazilian city, ecologist says
NPR: 02/01/2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Mauricio Cantor, behavioral ecologist at Oregon State University, about his study on how humans and dolphins work together to fish in a southern Brazilian city.

Fishing in synchrony brings mutual benefits for dolphins and people in Brazil, research shows
OSU Newsroom: 01/30/2023

Mauricio Cantor and colleagues have concluded that a population of dolphins actively coordinates its behavior with humans for the benefit of both.

When Your Old Fishing Buddy Has a Snout and a Blowhole
New York Times: 01/30/2023

Bottlenose dolphins help Brazilian fishermen pull in their catch, and researchers have worked out what the marine mammals get from the cooperative hunting.