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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
KEYWORDS:
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To: Keyhopper

“Drop some hand grenades in the water and everything will leave.”

Yep, they have no reason to fear. Kind if like the undisciplined kids robbing and stealing in the big cities. There are no repercussions for their actions.


41 posted on 05/30/2024 9:14:46 AM PDT by chuckb87
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To: Red Badger

They might just be assholes.


42 posted on 05/30/2024 9:15:48 AM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2024... RETURN OF THE JEDI. )
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To: DesertRhino

43 posted on 05/30/2024 9:17:43 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

Yachts need some sort of depth charges. Like flash bangs for the water.


44 posted on 05/30/2024 9:19:24 AM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2024... RETURN OF THE JEDI. )
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To: DesertRhino

Tasers.......................Big Tasers................


45 posted on 05/30/2024 9:20:37 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

It is like a contest for scientists. How can I work “climate change” into any research result? They probably receive a 25% bonus if they do.


46 posted on 05/30/2024 9:28:33 AM PDT by alternatives?
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To: Red Badger
Typical modern science ambiguity on display.

There's no science here, it's "experts" giving opinions without evidence. No data is gathered, no experiments performed. In the end, nothing is "proven", but the unprovable (climate change).

Maybe rich people can paint the underside of their yachts a less appetizing color? See if that influences orca behavior. Is hull size or shape a factor? How close were the attacks to schools of Tuna? If there are too many Tuna, should they fish more? Do tuna boats get attacked more or less than yachts? These are theories you might at least hope to get answers for.

But NO, it's all supposition and opinion.

As they say: "Opinions are like a**holes --- everbody's got one, and most of them stink"

47 posted on 05/30/2024 9:34:13 AM PDT by ZOOKER (Until further notice the /s is implied...)
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To: Red Badger
climate change could be playing a role,

.....Sure......

48 posted on 05/30/2024 9:36:33 AM PDT by piroque ("When the SHTF I'm gonna hunker down until all those idiots kill each other. " )
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To: Red Badger
"In addition, climate change could be playing a role...

Another article abruptly ends.

49 posted on 05/30/2024 10:08:25 AM PDT by TangoLimaSierra (⭐⭐To the Left, The Truth is Right Wing Violence⭐⭐)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Frank Gorshin is unforgettable but I never knew the other guy’s name.


50 posted on 05/30/2024 10:11:12 AM PDT by higgmeister (In the Shadow of The Big Chicken! )
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To: Red Badger

Of course the climate change stuff was silly, but I had SUCH a good time reading that article. First, I had no idea that they could tag an entire pod to know where they are and what they’re doing. Second, I’m fascinated by the idea of interpreting the positional data to figure out that the teenagers were running wild with a few matrons keeping an eye on the kids.

Great choice of post, Red Badger. Pleasant change.


51 posted on 05/30/2024 10:32:28 AM PDT by mairdie (Grandfather Jack Bell - miner, reporter, lawman, naturalist https://youtu.be/Dnnb63UEk9c)
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To: higgmeister

IMDB says Lou Antonio.


52 posted on 05/30/2024 10:33:54 AM PDT by Rio
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To: Red Badger

Why is anyone surprised, Orcs are vile creatures!

Oh, you said Orcas. As Ms. Litella would say...Nevermind!


53 posted on 05/30/2024 10:36:53 AM PDT by Roadrunner383 (m)
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To: Ge0ffrey
Those crazy killer dolphins.


54 posted on 05/30/2024 10:41:40 AM PDT by Sirius Lee (They intend to kill us. Plan to avoid this.)
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To: Red Badger

“In addition, ‘climate change’ ‘could’ be playing a role”

They HAD to get that in there.


55 posted on 05/30/2024 11:24:03 AM PDT by dljordan (What would Michael Collins do?)
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To: Red Badger

Is the solution Midnight Basketball?


56 posted on 05/30/2024 11:33:06 AM PDT by Bigg Red (Trump will be sworn in under a shower of confetti made from the tattered remains of the Rat Party.)
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To: Red Badger

Idle fins are the devil’s playground.


57 posted on 05/30/2024 11:43:58 AM PDT by FrankRizzo890
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To: Red Badger

So.

This is the pelagic version of cow tipping?


58 posted on 05/30/2024 12:06:14 PM PDT by T. Rustin Noone (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: Rio
I never would have known that in a million years but of course his face was always familiar.   Wait, he's still alive at 90 years old!   Lou Antonio.
59 posted on 05/30/2024 12:07:25 PM PDT by higgmeister (In the Shadow of The Big Chicken! )
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To: Red Badger
"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.'"

More carbon dioxide in the air means more food for Phytoplankton in the seas and more plankton. Phytoplankton in the seas means more food for fish in the seas up the food chain to bluefin tuna and consequently more bluefin tuna. More tuna leads to bored orcas. Carbon dioxide must be bad for luxury yacht owners.
60 posted on 05/30/2024 12:10:52 PM PDT by clearcarbon (Fraudulent elections have consequences.)
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