Posted on 05/18/2023 12:55:18 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Scientists think a traumatized orca initiated the assault on boats after a "critical moment of agony" and that the behavior is spreading among the population through social learning.
Orcas have mainly directed their efforts at sailboats, making a beeline for the rudder. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Orcas have attacked and sunk a third boat off the Iberian coast of Europe, and experts now believe the behavior is being copied by the rest of the population.
Three orcas (Orcinus orca), also known as killer whales, struck the yacht on the night of May 4 in the Strait of Gibraltar, off the coast of Spain, and pierced the rudder. "There were two smaller and one larger orca," skipper Werner Schaufelberger told the German publication Yacht(opens in new tab). "The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side."
Schaufelberger said he saw the smaller orcas imitate the larger one. "The two little orcas observed the bigger one's technique and, with a slight run-up, they too slammed into the boat." Spanish coast guards rescued the crew and towed the boat to Barbate, but it sank at the port entrance.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
It’s been thought that sonar disturbs whales.
Time to start using M-80 firecrackers. Drop one in the water near the boat, the noise should drive them off.
Should make a big splash.
All he has to do is find the porpoise.
Yes! They'd learn how to use RPGs!!
“All he has to do is find the porpoise.”
Everyone’s missing the obvious: They are having a whale of a time.
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