This is a disturbing development in what is now quite a long-running story of orcas (killer whales) attacking small boats in the Mediterranean Sea. To an outsider like me it appears very deliberate and it also appears that they are defending their territory. That’s a personal view and it is one theory promulgated by experts. There are other theories. But it appears that the orcas have become antagonistic towards humans and don’t like the presence of these boats in THEIR sea, their hunting grounds. Perhaps they believe that the humans are taking away their prey animals and making their survival more difficult. It is another example of animal-human conflict arising out of people interfering too much with nature and damaging it.
Orcas coordinate attack on boat in Med by Michael BroadThat is the introduction. The story is as follows. The Bonhomme William was a 39-foot yacht owned by Robert Powell, a British sailor. It was sunk by a group of orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar after being repeatedly rammed by a pod of killer whales. Both Powell and his two companions were rescued unharmed.
The British yachtsman described the experience as ‘terrifying’. Notably, as mentioned, several orcas worked together. Powell, 59, said that he felt like a ‘sitting duck’ as they watched the orcas circle around the boat like wolves and then repeatedly ram it.
The boat took on water quite quickly. They first disabled the rudder. Five orcas circled the boat. They rammed various parts of the boat. “They would ram the keel, ram the stern. The boat, with no rudder, just goes around in circles. They were circling. It was like watching wolves hunt.”
They took turns in ramming the boat. The boat was travelling at about 5 to 6 knots when it shuddered after the first impact.
The attack took place over 90 minutes. Eventually the hull split in the middle of the boat. “They hit the middle of the boat and I heard something crack. I went down below deck and there’d split the hull. And there was water coming in the main living area of the boat right in the center.”
The crew remained on board but deployed a life raft as a precautionary measure. They awaited rescue. When the coastguard arrived and pick them up the boat was half submerged with it stern in the air. It later sank.
Powell says that:
“Sadly, these orcas were not playing. It was a well-orchestrated and organised attack to sink my boat.”
That I think is very enlightening. Because some experts believe that the orcas are playing but I don’t see it like that and nor does Mr Powell. The objective was to sink the boat. And if that is the objective the objective is also to rid the Mediterranean Sea of these boats. Orcas are intelligent. They know that they are operated by humans and therefore arguably they want to get rid of the humans as their objective. And I would argue they see humans as competitors. This boat was not a fishing boat. But perhaps orcas can’t differentiate between fishing boats and non-fishing boats.
The experts believe that these incidents involve about 15 of the predatory creatures. They have named three orcas Black Gladis, White Gladis and Gray Gladis. They believe these are responsible for most of the attacks. There have been other attacks reported off Brittany and as far north as the Shetland Islands.
As mentioned, the experts don’t know what’s going on. Below is some more information from these experts via Google Gemini which is an artificial intelligence chat bot which scours the Internet for information and saves me time.
Theories for Orca Attacks on Boats in the Mediterranean
While the exact reasons behind orca interactions with boats in the Mediterranean remain a subject of ongoing research, several theories have been proposed:
1. Playful Curiosity:
- Orcas are highly intelligent and social animals. 1. Killer Whale – NOAA Fisheries – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration www.fisheries.noaa.gov
- Initial interactions might have started as playful curiosity or exploration. 1. Are Killer Whales Friendly? Exploring Their Social Behavior – Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching danawharf.com
- Over time, this behavior could have escalated due to positive reinforcement.
2. Trauma and Learned Behavior:
- One orca might have had a negative experience with a boat, leading to aggressive behavior.
- This behavior could have been observed and learned by other members of the pod. 1. Orcas have sunk 3 boats in Europe and appear to be teaching others to do the same. But why? | Live Science www.livescience.com
3. Defense of Territory or Resources:
- Orcas might perceive boats as a threat to their territory or food sources, especially in areas with heavy marine traffic.
4. Misidentification:
- Some experts suggest that orcas might be misidentifying boats as large marine mammals, a common prey item.
5. Accidental Damage:
- In some cases, damage to boats might be accidental, resulting from playful or rough interactions.
It’s important to note that:
- Not all interactions are aggressive: Many encounters involve gentle nudges or playful behaviors. 1. Orca boat rammings in the Mediterranean are ‘just playful fad’ scientists say – The Independent www.independent.co.uk
- The situation is dynamic: The reasons behind these interactions might change over time.
- More research is needed: Scientists are actively studying these incidents to better understand the orcas’ behavior.
Orca Attacks on Boats: A Deeper Dive
Specific Incidents and Patterns
The most notable concentration of orca interactions with boats has been in the Strait of Gibraltar. Here are some key points:
- Target: Orcas often focus their attacks on the rudder, a critical component for boat control.
- Timing: These incidents have increased in frequency in recent years, especially during the summer months.
- Behavior: While some interactions appear playful, others exhibit aggressive tendencies.
- Impact: These attacks have resulted in significant damage to boats, including sinkings.
Potential Causes and Theories
While the exact reasons remain elusive, several theories have been proposed:
- Playful Behavior: This is a common explanation, but the increasing intensity of interactions suggests something more complex.
- Defense of Territory: The Strait of Gibraltar is a crucial migration route for marine life, and orcas might be defending their territory.
- Trauma and Learned Behavior: A negative experience with a boat by one orca could have been passed on to the pod.
- Misidentification: Some experts believe orcas might mistake boats for large marine mammals, leading to aggressive behavior.
- Human Impact: Increased marine traffic and noise pollution could be contributing factors.
Precautions for Boaters
Given the unpredictable nature of these interactions, it’s essential for boaters to take precautions:
- Be Aware: Stay informed about orca sightings in the area.
- Maintain Distance: If you encounter orcas, maintain a safe distance and avoid sudden movements.
- Emergency Preparedness: Ensure your boat is equipped with emergency communication devices and safety gear.
- Report Encounters: Documenting orca interactions can help researchers understand the situation better.
It’s important to emphasize that orcas are wild animals and their behavior can be unpredictable. Respecting their space and following safety guidelines is crucial.