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.
