https://www.newscientist.com/article/2486216-orcas-are-bringing-humans-gifts-what-does-it-mean/ Close Advertisement Skip to content Sign in Search the website [ ] [ ] * Events * Tours * Shop * Jobs Subscribe now Explore by section * News * Features * Newsletters * Podcasts * Video * Comment * Culture * Games * | * This week's magazine Explore by subject * Health * Space * Physics * Technology * Environment * Mind * Humans * Life * Mathematics * Chemistry * Earth * Society Explore our products and services * Events * Tours * Shop * Jobs Subscribe now Subscribe now Life Orcas are bringing humans gifts - what does it mean? Researchers have documented orcas seemingly gifting rays, seals and fish to scientists and divers, which could suggest they have theory of mind and engage in altruism - even across species By Marina Wang 30 June 2025 [SEI_257390399] An orca attempting to share food with a researcher holding a camera Orca Research Trust Orcas have been seen appearing to gift dead prey to humans, which may be a sign that they engage in altruism and can recognise sentience in other species. Jared Towers at marine research firm Bay Cetology was filming a pod of orcas (Orcinus orca) as they snacked on seabirds in Alert Bay, Canada, when he made the discovery. Two of the whales, Akela and Quiver, approached Towers with birds clutched between their jaws. Akela, a young female, released the dead bird in front of Towers and lingered for a moment, as if to watch what he would do. Quiver, Akela's little brother, did the same, dropping the bird and waiting. Stunned, Towers watched as the two whales then grabbed the prey again and swam away. "I remember thinking, did that just happen?" he says. This event in 2015 and another in 2018, in which a young female orca presented Towers with a harbour seal pup, inspired him to document cases of killer whales attempting to share prey with humans. Read more Orcas scrub each other clean with bits of kelp He interviewed others who had had similar experiences, identifying another 32 cases from between 2004 and 2024. These include a young male orca in New Zealand named Funky Monkey repeatedly approaching a researcher with a long-tailed stingray draped over its head, and a killer whale in Norway seemingly gifting jellyfish to a diver. In all, 18 different prey species were offered, including blubber from a grey whale, seals, jellyfish, birds, an otter, rays, a starfish and a turtle - plus a strand of seaweed. This behaviour has previously been seen within orca pods. "They live in very close-knit, complex, social societies and share prey throughout their entire lives," says Towers. Free newsletter Sign up to The Weekly The best of New Scientist, including long-reads, culture, podcasts and news, each week. Sign up to newsletter New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine. But it doesn't seem to stop there. "They're taking something they do amongst themselves and spreading that goodwill to another species," says Lori Marino at New York University, who wasn't involved in the study. Towers says this demonstrates that killer whales are capable of generalised altruism, or kindness. It also shows that orcas can recognise sentience in others and are curious and bold enough to experiment across species, he says. Read more Endangered skates saved from extinction by hatching in captivity This generalised altruism makes sense in social societies where members benefit from cooperation. Killer whales are also some of the few marine predators that occasionally find themselves with excess prey. Sometimes, a pod will kill a larger whale than they can finish, for example. "You can just leave it, you can play with it or you can use it to explore relationships in your environment," says Towers. For killer whales - many of which are generalist predators - curious or exploratory behaviour is an advantage. "Curiosity is one of the things that reduces uncertainty," says Towers. "They're actively learning about us by testing the waters." He also says the behaviour demonstrates that orcas have theory of mind, the ability to understand that others have distinct mental states that differ from one's own. This has been seen before in some birds, apes and other marine animals such as dolphins. Journal reference Journal of Comparative Psychology DOI: 10.1037/com0000422 New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine. Hawaii astronomy, volcanoes and marine biology cruise: US This unique astronomy experience combines the beauty of the night sky with the serene setting of the ocean. Find out more Article amended on 7 July 2025 We corrected the spelling of Lori Marino's name Topics: * evolution/ * marine biology/ * animal intelligence/ * animal behaviour Advertisement Sign up to our weekly newsletter Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers. Sign up More from New Scientist Explore the latest news, articles and features [SEI_256536375] Life Orcas scrub each other clean with bits of kelp News [SEI_231004125] Life Orcas have begun wearing salmon hats again - and we may soon know why News [SEI_196708385] Life Californian orcas used specialised tactics for hunting whale calves News Why have orcas been damaging and sinking so many boats? Life Why have orcas been damaging and sinking so many boats? News Popular articles Trending New Scientist articles 1 There is an odd streak in the universe - and we still don't know why 2 The exceptionally tasty new fermented foods being cooked up in the lab 3 Cannabis extract found to be effective for lower back pain 4 Exceptional star is the most pristine object known in the universe 5 Do black holes exist and, if not, what have we really been looking at? 6 The exercises you need to do to reach 100 in great shape 7 Exploring PMS is a great idea, but The Period Brain can be simplistic 8 Evolution may explain why women live longer than men 9 The mystery of highly reactive oxygen has finally been solved 10 20 bird species can understand each other's anti-cuckoo call Advertisement Piano End Banner Close Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop Close Download the app Download on the apple apps store Download on Google play Find us on social media * Find us on Instagram Instagram * Find us on Facebook Facebook * Find us on X / Twitter X / Twitter * Find us on Tiktok Tiktok * Find us on LinkedIn LinkedIn * Find us on BlueSky BlueSky Subscriptions * Subscriber benefits * Gift * Student & graduate * Educational * Corporate Support * Contact us * FAQs * About us * Press room * Advertise * Write for us Tools * Events * Science Jobs * CoLab * Syndication * RSS feeds Legal and privacy * Complaint policy * Privacy policy * Cookie policy * Terms & conditions * Cookie Settings (c) Copyright New Scientist Ltd. Back to the top