Over the past few decades, the sea has witnessed situations that have baffled both sailors and scientists. In many corners of the planet, groups of wild orcas have unexpectedly appeared before humans to leave prey or objects right next to them., as if they were looking for a type of contact never before observed between such different animals.
This sequence of episodes is not a figment of the imagination. A recent study, published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, has collected 34 cases in which orcas offered prey and other objects to people between 2004 and 2024The phenomenon ranges from Canada and Norway to New Zealand and Argentina, and has been analyzed by several international research teams.
A global phenomenon: orcas delivering "gifts" to humans
The documented pattern is as striking as it is peculiar. Orcas of different sexes and ages approach humans—in boats, while diving, or even on the shore—and deposit dead prey or objects, staying afterward to observe the reaction..
In total, encounters have been recorded in four oceans and six different orca populations. Among the items offered arede peces and marine mammals to birds, invertebrates, reptiles and algae. Apparently, the “gift” is no coincidence: in 97% of the events, the orcas remained attentive to the human response, retrieving or abandoning the object depending on the interaction..
Notable cases include individuals like Akela and Quiver in Canada, who deposited birds near a researcher; Funky Monkey, a young male in New Zealand, who repeatedly handed over a stingray; and a Norwegian orca that approached a diver with a jellyfish. The variety of situations suggests a widespread behavior rather than one exclusive to a specific region or pod.
Altruism, curiosity or play?
What motivates these orcas to share with us? Sharing prey among members of the group is common in the social life of these cetaceans. However, sharing it with humans is extremely rare., to the point of opening a scientific debate about its motives.
Researchers consider several explanations:
- Low cost and absence of competition: Since both species are apex predators, sharing prey with humans does not pose a significant risk or loss to the orca.
- curiosity and experimentationOrcas are highly intelligent animals and may be exploring human reaction, especially when it comes to unusual objects.
- Social play and learningNearly four out of ten interactions had a playful component, such as repeatedly grabbing and releasing prey, perhaps as part of a learning process about other living beings.
- Cultural traditionIn some communities, this gesture could be forming a new custom within the culture of certain groups of orcas.
The most curious thing is that they often not only repeat the action, but also adapt their behavior according to the human's response, which suggests a communicative or at least exploratory intention.
Scientific implications: Can they have a theory of mind?
The possibility that the orcas are showing some kind of generalized altruism It's just one of the questions on the table. Previous studies have documented similar behavior in primates, elephants, and some cetaceans, but In the case of these encounters, the absence of immediate benefit or reciprocity stands out..
Some experts, such as researcher Lori Morino, suggest that These gestures could reflect an understanding that humans have intentions and emotions distinct from one's own., what is known in science as "theory of mind." To date, this cognitive characteristic has only been attributed to a few species.
Another key point is the apparent cultural sophistication of orcas: they live in close-knit family groups and can pass on knowledge, habits, and even hunting techniques between generations, which facilitates the emergence of new traditions.
A developing bond between humans and cetaceans?
It should not be forgotten that, although these episodes may seem endearing, orcas are still wild animals. Researchers insist that this type of interaction should not be encouraged or actively sought out.Although there are no known fatal incidents in the wild, aggressive behavior in captivity and risky situations involving boats have occurred.
The emergence of these rare but increasingly documented behaviors motivates reflection on possible changes in the relationship between humans and large cetaceans, especially in a world where human presence at sea increases year after year.
Documenting and analyzing each of these events could shed light on the evolution of animal intelligence and the ability to establish communication bridges between species so far removed in evolutionary terms.
Science still has many open questions, but each new discovery in this field invites us to reconsider how much we know (or don't know) about the natural world. Orcas, with their unusual gestures and large social brains, confirm that the boundary between species may be more permeable than we suspected.