Since May 2020, hundreds of similar orca attacks have been seen in the Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean’s boat-attacking orcas appear to have returned after a short absence.
Two sailors were reportedly struck by a group of orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar over the weekend, requiring their rescue.
According to a Spanish publication, the yacht, named Alborán Cognac, came into contact with the combative cetaceans early on Sunday, May 12, in Morrocan waters, approximately 25.9 kilometres (14 nautical miles) off Cape Spartel.
The crew members reported that after receiving many hits to the hull of their 15-meter (49-foot) boat, the rudder began to leak and water began to seep inside the craft. After informing the Spanish maritime rescue agency, a passing oil tanker was asked to help with the retrieval, and a helicopter was dispatched.
Before their boat slowly drifted away and sank, the two were saved by the MT Lascaux oil tanker that was anchored nearby.
Hundreds of comparable orca attacks have been observed in the Mediterranean Sea around the Iberian Peninsula since May 2020. At least 52 disruptive contacts were documented between July and November 2020, according to the Atlantic Orca Working Group. A total of 207 encounters were registered in 2022, compared to 197 interactions in 2021.
The toothed whale species known as orcas, or killer whales, are extremely intelligent and socially sophisticated. In the wild, they usually interact peacefully with humans despite being the top predators in the ocean.
The species is cosmopolitan, meaning it can be found in waters all over the world, while a tiny permanent population can be found in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Although the reason behind this novel behavior’s emergence in the Strait of Gibraltar is unknown to researchers, social learning must have played a role in its dissemination, demonstrating the creatures’ extreme intelligence.
While some orca specialists think the behaviour could be amusing, others think it might be a more aggressive way for them to get food. Others have speculated that maybe they’ve connected boats to fishing and stealing much-needed tuna.
Even though it looks that there have been less orcas attacked so far in 2024, scientists are eager to learn more about this unusual and possibly concerning behaviour.
According to a 2022 study on the orca attacks, “if this situation continues or intensifies, it could become a real concern for the mariner’s safety and a conservation issue for this endangered subpopulation of killer whales.”
“It is imperative to carry out focused research in order to enhance comprehension of animal behaviour and establish strategies for mitigation,” they state in their conclusion.
