Study documents wild orcas attempting to share their food with people

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are among the most well-studied marine mammals, captivating the public and scientists alike with their intelligence, strong social bonds and complex behaviors. Scientists recently documented critically endangered Southern Resident orcas in the Salish Sea using kelp as a grooming tool. They have also been observed wearing carcasses of salmon on their heads, either as a sign of playfulness or to eat at a later date, according to marine scientists.  

And now another surprising behavior of orcas has come to light. A recently published paper documented nearly three dozen examples recorded over a 20-year period of wild orcas offering prey like dead birds, seals, and fishes to humans. The displays appear to be efforts by both male and female orcas around the world to share their food with another apex predator, possibly done out of altruism, relationship-building or for play. 

Joining us to share more is Jared Towers, the lead author of the paper and executive director of Bay Cetology, a research and whale conservation organization in British Columbia.