From Christine Wolak, Huntersville, North Carolina, US
Maybe orcas were indeed being altruistic and bringing us gifts. Some cats leave mice, birds or gophers on their owners’ doorsteps, which sounds like a gift of food. But a dog (or cat) dropping something at your feet may be asking you to play fetch. What’s more, the story explains that the orcas played with the prey before presenting it to the humans, and that they lingered for a moment after doing so(12 July, p 19).
I would love to see a follow-up where the gift is accepted, then tossed gently away. Does the orca chase it? If so, does it encourage more gifting (bringing it back again) or less (due to the gift being unappreciated and “throwaway”)?
