Can Animals Attack Boats?

In the serene waters of the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, a peculiar and unprecedented phenomenon has been unfolding since 2020. A subpopulation of orcas, known as the Iberian orcas, has been engaging in a series of aggressive interactions with boats, culminating in the sinking of several vessels. These incidents have sparked a global conversation about the behavior of these intelligent marine mammals, their motivations, and the implications for both humans and orcas.

The Incident That Shocked the World

On May 12, 2024, a 49-foot sailing yacht named the Alboran Cognac was attacked by a group of orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar. The attack began around 9 a.m. local time when the orcas repeatedly rammed the yacht’s hull and rudder. The two-person crew radioed for help and was rescued by a passing oil tanker. However, the yacht sustained serious damage, took on water, and eventually sank. This marked the fifth time in three years that these orcas had sent a ship to the seafloor.

The Iberian orcas, a group of around 40 killer whales living off the coasts of Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Gibraltar, have been attacking boats since 2020. Most of these attacks occur between May and August each year in and around the Strait of Gibraltar. However, earlier this year, some of these orcas were spotted circling a boat in northern Spain, suggesting they have spread out much further and earlier than usual.

The Pattern of Attacks

Since the attacks began in 2020, sailors have reported around 700 interactions with orcas in the area. These interactions range from circling and nudging vessels to ramming, ripping apart, and sinking boats. The most common tactic employed by the orcas is to damage or rip off the vessel’s rudder, making it impossible to steer the boat. Researchers believe this is a learned behavior, with eye-witnesses reporting seeing individuals seemingly teach other orcas how to do this.

The most recent sinking event prior to the Alboran Cognac incident occurred on Halloween last year when a pod of orcas sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar after a near hour-long attack. Before then, at least three other boats were sunk in the region between 2022 and early 2023. However, no humans have been injured or killed in these incidents.

The Theories Behind the Attacks

The behavior driving these attacks is still being studied, and several theories have emerged. One theory suggests that the orcas might be engaging in these interactions out of curiosity or playfulness. Orcas are known for their intelligence and complex social behaviors, and these attacks may be a form of play or social learning. Similar to how other animals engage in play to develop skills or for entertainment, orcas might be doing the same with boats.

Another theory is that these behaviors are part of a learned fad within the orca population. This idea is supported by observations of other cultural phenomena among orcas, such as carrying dead salmon on their heads, which were short-lived trends. Essentially, the attacks might have started as an isolated incident and then spread through social learning within the pod.

Some experts believe that the attacks could be a response to a traumatic event experienced by one or more orcas. For example, a collision with a vessel could have caused injuries or distress, leading the orcas to associate boats with danger and respond aggressively. An orca named White Gladis is often mentioned in this context, as she may have had a negative encounter with a boat. Her apparent distress and subsequent aggressive behavior toward ships might have been observed and adopted by other orcas in her pod. This learned behavior could then spread through social learning, leading to the increased frequency of these attacks seen since 2020.

Conservation Concerns and Public Opinion

Conservationists are worried that these attacks might lead to negative perceptions of orcas and potentially harmful responses from the public. “I hope that they stop doing it as quickly as they started because it’s actually imposing a risk on themselves,” Hanne Strager, a marine biologist and author of “The Killer Whale Journals,” told the New York Times. She noted that this behavior adds strain to an endangered species, as the negative publicity might result in detrimental actions against the orcas.

Another perspective is that these attacks are a response to environmental pressures such as a decrease in prey availability, increased boat traffic, or interactions with fisheries. These stressors could be causing the orcas to exhibit unusual behaviors as they adapt to changing conditions in their habitat.

Social Media and Public Opinion

Social media has played a significant role in shaping public opinion about these incidents. Many users have joked about “orca rebellions” and formed “Team Orca,” sympathizing with the killer whales and viewing the attacks as a form of playful resistance. However, there are also concerns that these humorous takes could minimize the serious implications of the behavior and the potential risks to both humans and orcas.

Monika Wieland Shields, cofounder and director of the Orca Behavior Institute, wrote an op-ed in response to the outpouring of love for the orca uprising. “We recognize that we have done enough to the world to deserve orcas attacking us in response. Laughing at the memes is fine, but my hope is that people will also reflect on this one a bit further.”

The Lowdown on Killer Whales

Orcas, also known as killer whales (Orcinus orca), are large marine mammals from the dolphin family recognizable by their black-and-white coloring. They can grow up to 32 feet (9.8 meters) in length and weigh up to 11 tons (10 metric tonnes). These highly social apex predators are known for their complex social structures and sophisticated behaviors. Orcas live in family groups called pods, usually led by the oldest female, with multiple generations included. These pods can consist of a few individuals to several dozen; multiple pods form clans, which in turn make up a community.

Orcas use echolocation and unique vocalizations for navigation, hunting, and communication. Each pod has distinct calls that help maintain group cohesion and coordinate activities. They engage in cooperative hunting, herding fish or hunting seals together, with their diet varying based on region and pod specialization. Playful behavior, such as breaching and tail-slapping, helps strengthen social bonds among orcas, while social grooming reinforces these connections.

The Future of Orca-Human Interactions

As researchers continue to study these interactions, the question remains: what can be done to prevent further attacks? The Spanish authorities have warned recreational boaters to avoid sailing too far from the coast and to not stop their vessels if they are approached by orcas. Sailors have also tried various strategies to deter the orcas, such as using quieter engines and avoiding bright colors on their ships. However, there is no sure-fire way to prevent these interactions.

Renaud de Stephanis, an orca specialist and coordinator of Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans (CIRCE), has been intensely monitoring this group of orcas. He and his team have used a multitude of cameras to understand exactly what’s going on between the orcas and the dummy rudders. “We discovered what happens, the killer whales push the rudder with their nose, this makes the rudder break by leverage,” he says. The detailed results are not released yet, but he is hoping to share them publicly soon.

Conclusion

The behavior of the Iberian orcas is a complex and multifaceted issue that highlights the intelligence and adaptability of these marine mammals. While the attacks on boats are concerning, they also provide a unique opportunity to learn more about orca behavior and the impact of human activities on marine life. As we continue to study and understand these interactions, it is crucial to approach the situation with a balanced perspective, considering both the safety of humans and the well-being of the orcas.

In the end, the rise of the Iberian orcas serves as a reminder of the intricate and often unpredictable relationships between humans and the natural world. As we navigate these uncharted waters, it is essential to prioritize conservation efforts and foster a deeper understanding of the marine ecosystems we share with these remarkable creatures.

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