An enterprising young killer whale at Marineland has figured out how to use fish as bait to catch seagulls — and shared his strategy with his fellow whales. Michael Noonan, a professor of animal behavior at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., made the discovery by accident while studying orca acoustics.

First, the young whale spit regurgitated fish onto the surface of the water, then sank below the water and waited. Noonan watched as the same whale set the same trap again and again. Within a few months, the whale’s younger half brother adopted the practice. Eventually the behavior spread and now five Marineland whales supplement their diet with fresh fowl. Biologists have since proven certain animals, including dolphins and chimps, do this.