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Orcas are still smashing up boats – and we've finally worked out why
New Atlas ^ | May 27, 2024 | Bronwyn Thompson

Posted on 05/30/2024 8:15:10 AM PDT by Red Badger

This orca gave a team competing in The Ocean Race a scare The Ocean Race VIEW 2 IMAGES

For four years now, orcas have been ramming and sinking luxury yachts in European waters, and scientists have struggled to work out just why these smart, social animals had learnt this destructive new trick. But it's not due to some anticapitalist 'eat the rich' agenda, nor is it to do with territory and aggression. The truth is, well, it's child's play.

Following years of research, a team of biologists, government officials and marine industry representatives have released their findings on just why one particular Orcinus orca group has developed this destructive streak. And it turns out, orcas – especially the kids and teens – just want to have fun. The report reveals that a combination of free time, curiosity and natural playfulness has led to young orcas adopting this 'trend' of boat-bumping, which is not at all surprising for a species that has been known to adopt odd, isolated behaviors from time to time.

In recent years, a dramatic recovery in the population of bluefin tuna in the region has been a win for a group of about 40 critically endangered Iberian killer whales that feed exclusively on the large fish. This has meant they've cut down their time spent foraging, leaving space for other 'hobbies.'

"In addition, climate change could be playing a role, leading to these tuna being in the Gulf of Cádiz continuously rather than seasonally," the scientists noted. "This year-round abundance means that there appears to no longer be a need for the whales to pursue every fish encountered."

(Excerpt) Read more at newatlas.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans; Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Travel
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To: Red Badger

Boaters should be allowed to shoot attacking predators of any kind.


21 posted on 05/30/2024 8:39:31 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: Red Badger

“...orcas – especially the kids and teens – just want to have fun...”

https://youtu.be/PIb6AZdTr-A?list=RDPIb6AZdTr-A&t=7


22 posted on 05/30/2024 8:39:59 AM PDT by Beowulf9
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To: Red Badger

“climate change”

It wouldn’t be a story if they couldn’t work that in.


23 posted on 05/30/2024 8:43:25 AM PDT by SharpRightTurn (“Giving money & power to government is like giving whiskey & car keys to teenage boys” P.J. O’Rourke)
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To: Red Badger

Orca version of cow tipping.

karma bopping humans on the nose.

:)


24 posted on 05/30/2024 8:46:53 AM PDT by sten (fighting tyranny never goes out of style)
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To: Beowulf9

Bring back Sea World - Orcas like to do tricks.


25 posted on 05/30/2024 8:47:33 AM PDT by scrabblehack
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To: Migraine

They had to find a way to slide in “Climate Change”.


26 posted on 05/30/2024 8:48:08 AM PDT by gibsonguy ( )
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

Drop some capsaicin in the water and the young Orcas will leave.


27 posted on 05/30/2024 8:51:38 AM PDT by wildcard_redneck (He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.)
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To: Red Badger

Idle flippers


28 posted on 05/30/2024 8:51:54 AM PDT by daku
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To: wildcard_redneck

Have you tested this...?


29 posted on 05/30/2024 8:54:01 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: Migraine
"It’s the same all over."

Yep, TEENS.

I also think that the Orca black / white coloration results in racism as we've seen before...


30 posted on 05/30/2024 8:56:44 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“When exposing a crime is treated like a crime, you are being ruled by criminals” – Edward Snowden)
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To: occamrzr06
climate change could be playing a role Stopped reading right there.

Same here. What nonsense.

31 posted on 05/30/2024 8:58:32 AM PDT by LibertarianLiz
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To: Red Badger

“Hold my seal and watch this!”


32 posted on 05/30/2024 9:02:13 AM PDT by PTBAA
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To: wildcard_redneck

Drop some hand grenades in the water and everything will leave


33 posted on 05/30/2024 9:02:53 AM PDT by Keyhopper (Indians had bad immigration laws)
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To: Red Badger

Blame it on da yoots.


34 posted on 05/30/2024 9:04:46 AM PDT by glorgau
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To: glorgau

Those darn amish yoots..................


35 posted on 05/30/2024 9:05:18 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger

They need to get a job and stop hanging out on the corner with their no account hoodlum friends!


36 posted on 05/30/2024 9:06:37 AM PDT by servo1969
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To: aMorePerfectUnion

Nothing mammalian likes capsaicin burning their eyes.


37 posted on 05/30/2024 9:07:00 AM PDT by wildcard_redneck (He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.)
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To: wildcard_redneck

I was just thinking it would be very diluted in an ocean and wondered if it had been tested as effective...


38 posted on 05/30/2024 9:08:02 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: LibertarianLiz

Bingo. Orcas ram other species of whales. Boats probably appear to be other species from underwater. No word on the harm to Orcas ramming these boats in the article. Typical woke mush.


39 posted on 05/30/2024 9:11:45 AM PDT by Jumper
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To: Red Badger

Orca delinquency. I’d recommend night basketball. Also more government grants for marine biologists.


40 posted on 05/30/2024 9:13:13 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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