Wild Orcas Deliver 34 Gifts to Humans: Norway to New Zealand Stunned

That expectant whale hover—like a bouncer with flippers—now has researchers theorizing that orcas may be testing humans with these gifts, possibly extending their own pod food-sharing rituals. Trending queries include “do orcas play fetch with humans?” and “has a killer whale ever saved a person?” The repeated underwater gift exchange, sometimes involving humans tossing the prize back, turns the ocean into the world’s most suspenseful Secret Santa.
Wild orcas hand-delivered 34 gifts—including a sea turtle—across Norway and New Zealand waters, baffling marine experts and prompting “why do orcas give gifts?” and “can killer whales befriend humans” to surge. Picture nature’s most toothy Secret Santa.