Why Are Killer Whales Offering Gifts to Humans? Scientists Explore a Surprising New Behavior
Imagine being out at sea when a massive black-and-white form rises beside your boat. It’s a killer whale—an apex predator of the ocean. But instead of aggression, it does something unexpected: it gently places a lifeless seal or fish at the surface near you, then lingers silently, watching.
This isn’t a fantasy or isolated case—it’s a real phenomenon that’s occurring more frequently than many realize.
According to a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, wild killer whales, or orcas, have voluntarily offered food items to humans at least 34 times over the past 20 years. These events have taken place in diverse marine environments across four major oceans, involving not just fish, but jellyfish, seabirds, seaweed, and even marine mammals.
What makes this behavior particularly fascinating is the whales’ apparent intention. In many cases, the orcas didn’t just drop the items and swim away. They waited. They observed. As if expecting—or perhaps hoping—for a response from the humans present.
Deliberate and Curious Acts from the Deep
Marine biologist Jared Towers, lead author of the study, described witnessing such an encounter himself. “In both cases, I was left wondering if it had really happened as it was most unusual,” he reflected.
These weren’t isolated behaviors from overly curious juveniles either. The researchers documented participation from orcas of all ages and sexes—ranging from playful calves to mature adults, both male and female. In nearly a third of the events, humans were in the water; in the rest, interactions occurred near boats or coastlines.
When humans didn’t respond to the offerings, the whales sometimes retrieved the item or made another attempt—further hinting at an intentional, communicative act.
Could Orcas Be Practicing Altruism?
Scientists suggest this behavior might be an example of generalized altruism—an act of giving without expecting anything in return. In the animal kingdom, particularly among large predators, such behavior is exceedingly rare. It challenges long-held assumptions about the nature of wild animals and hints at complex social intelligence.
It’s possible that orcas are simply curious about human reactions. Alternatively, these interactions could be part of a broader effort to understand us—mirroring how we study them. Either way, it represents a remarkable moment of interspecies engagement.
Not All Orcas Behave the Same Way
Interestingly, this behavior isn’t observed in all orca populations. Those that primarily hunt in deep waters using echolocation appear to show little interest in humans. In contrast, surface-hunting orcas—who rely more heavily on vision—are far more likely to engage in such food-offering behavior.
This points to possible cultural differences between whale communities. Just as human societies develop unique customs and social practices, orcas appear to have region-specific behaviors passed down across generations.
Appreciate, But Don’t Intervene
While these experiences may seem magical, experts stress caution. Orcas are immensely powerful animals with unpredictable instincts. Even gentle interactions can result in harm—either to humans or to the whales themselves.
“If an orca ever offers you something,” Towers advises, “appreciate the gesture, but don’t take it.”
Encouraging or attempting to replicate these behaviors could disrupt natural patterns or create dangerous dependencies. The best approach is to observe respectfully, without interference.
Who’s Studying Whom?
Despite years of observation, scientists still don’t fully understand what motivates these offerings. Are they gifts? Tests? Games? Social experiments?
What is clear, however, is that these moments are neither accidental nor instinctual. They are intentional. Measured. Strangely generous.
And perhaps—for once—we’re not the observers. We’re the observed.
Source:
Journal of Comparative Psychology via reporting by VICE