New research published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology documents multiple cases of wild orcas across different oceans – apparently trying to share their prey with humans. 

KUOW's Gabriel Spitzer talked with Jared Towers about this research. Towers is the executive director of Bay Cetology, a team of marine biologists based in Alert Bay, British Columbia. He’s one of the authors of the study. 

Links

These orcas have been trying to feed people, new research shows - The Seattle Times
Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why? - CNN

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

New research published in the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-29805-001.html">Journal of Comparative Psychology</a> documents multiple cases of wild orcas across different oceans &ndash; apparently trying to share their prey with humans.&nbsp;
KUOW's Gabriel Spitzer talked with Jared Towers about this research. Towers is the executive director of Bay Cetology, a team of marine biologists based in Alert Bay, British Columbia. He&rsquo;s one of the authors of the study.&nbsp;
Links
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/these-orcas-have-been-trying-to-feed-people-new-research-shows/">These orcas have been trying to feed people, new research shows - </a>The Seattle Times <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/09/science/orcas-humans-gifts-food-intl-scli">Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food &ndash; but why?</a> - CNN Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Soundside

Orcas tried to share their prey with humans over 30 times across 4 seas, according to a new study.

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