Killer whales have complex social structures that include close friendships

Led by the University of Exeter and the Centre for Whale Research (CWR), the study also found that the whales appear to grow apart as they get older.

Screengrab taken from drone footage issued by the University of Exeter showing killer whales interracting with members of their pod. Picture: Michael Weiss/University of Exeter/PA Wire

Killer whales have complex social structures that include close friendships, a study that used drones to film the animals suggests.

The findings indicate that killer whales spend more time interacting with certain individuals in their pod, and tend to favour those of the same sex and similar age.