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Wild Orcas Provision Humans With Prey, Study Finds

Evidence of apex predators offering food to people raises fresh concerns about unwitting encounters

Wild Orcas Filmed Offering Gifts of Food to Humans
The cases presented by Towers et al. are among the first recorded where wild killer whales (Orcinus orca) used prey and other items to instigate interactions with humans. Image credit: Towers et al., doi: 10.1037/com0000422.

Overview

  • A June study in the Journal of Comparative Psychology reports 34 instances from 2004 to 2024 in which wild orcas initiated prey transfers to humans across multiple oceans
  • Researchers applied strict criteria requiring whales to approach unprompted, release food items in front of people and wait for a response before inclusion
  • The orcas offered 18 different species ranging from fish and marine mammals to birds, reptiles and even seaweed
  • Authors interpret these behaviors as potential examples of interspecific altruism and indicators of advanced social cognition in orcas
  • Scientists caution that accepting or soliciting food from wild orcas poses serious safety risks for swimmers and boaters