Orcas sharing prey with humans may be trying to learn ‘who we are,’ researcher says

A sea lion hopped on a woman's boat to escape a group of killer whales and the footage is wild

In the Pacific Northwest, orca sightings are a fairly common occurrence. Still, tourists and locals alike marvel when a pod of "sea pandas" swims by, whipping out their phones to capture some of nature's most beautiful and intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. While orcas aren't a threat to humans, there's a reason they're called "killer whales." To their prey, which includes just about everything that swims except humans, they are ter…

Wild orcas offer humans food. Could they be trying to make friends — or manipulate us?

Researchers have documented orcas dropping prey and other marine life in front of humans, as if offering us food. The orcas' motives are uncertain, but the sharing behavior could be an attempt at a cross-species relationship or manipulation.

Study reveals killer whales share food with humans in display of altruism

Killer whales sharing food with other killer whales is well-documented, but a new study in the Journal of Comparative Psychology found that they also share with humans. In 2015, Jared Towers was filming when two whales from the same pod dropped food in front of him. — Read the rest The post Study reveals killer whales share food with humans in display of altruism appeared first on Boing Boing.

Why do killer whales keep handing us fish? Scientists unpack the mystery

Wild orcas across four continents have repeatedly floated fish and other prey to astonished swimmers and boaters, hinting that the ocean’s top predator likes to make friends. Researchers cataloged 34 such gifts over 20 years, noting the whales often lingered expectantly—and sometimes tried again—after humans declined their offerings, suggesting a curious, relationship-building motive.