From The Brighter Side:
In the deep blue waters of the world’s oceans, some of the most intelligent and social creatures on Earth are engaging in behavior that challenges long-held assumptions about the divide between humans and wildlife.
Killer whales, also known as orcas, are not just powerful hunters or majestic swimmers. They may also be attempting to connect with humans in a surprisingly thoughtful way—by sharing their food. Over a period of two decades, researchers documented 34 separate incidents where wild orcas approached people and offered them items. These offerings weren’t random. They included a wide range of prey such as fish, squid, birds, marine mammals, and even a piece of seaweed. The humans were in various locations: in the water, on boats, or standing on shore. In most cases, the orcas waited to see how the person would respond, and in several, they tried more than once to hand over the item.
