Orcas crashing into boats and sinking them in the Strait of Gibraltar may just be young killer whales playing around and following a behavioural trend, a marine biologist says.

Since May 2020 researchers have documented nearly 700 incidents of killer whales ramming into boats near the Iberian Peninsula.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-oceangate-implosion-us-billionaire-plans-another-expedition-to-titanic-in-submersible-726626">After OceanGate implosion, US billionaire plans another expedition&nbsp;to Titanic in submersible</a>

The unprecedented attacks on boats by killer whales in this region have left sailors and scientists baffled. The prevailing theory suggests the whales might be learning this behaviour from each other.

Theories trying to explain the odd behaviour have ranged from food shortage – orcas treating the boats as competition for their preferred prey – and the sudden resumption of marine activities after the pandemic.

Leading marine biologist Alex Zerbini, chair of the scientific committee at the International Whaling Commission (IWC), says the killer whale behaviour is most likely to be a new artistic practice without any purpose.

In other words, the orcas may just be following a new fad, scientists now suspect.

The marine biologists’ paper states, “different populations often have different dietary specialisations maintained by cultural communication, and these ‘ecotypes’ typically have a variety of persistent behavioural traditions related to their divergent foraging.”&nbsp;

“Some populations may also develop unusual and temporary behavioural ‘fads’ and other idiosyncrasies that do not appear to serve any obvious adaptive purpose.”

Interestingly, researchers point to a 1987 phenomenon in the South Pacific where young orcas began carrying dead salmon on their heads.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/kilauea-volcano-could-erupt-like-a-stomp-rocket-toy-says-study-726604">Kilauea volcano could erupt like a 'stomp-rocket toy', says study</a>&nbsp;

This curious behaviour, with no purpose, eventually spread throughout the entire population. This particular behaviour disappeared soon thereafter, only to return in the summer of 2008 and then disappear once more.

In another case of strange behaviour that appeared and disappeared teenage and adult male orcas have been documented exhibiting a ritualised ramming.

Recent encounters with damaged boats involve young whales, who appear curious and approach slowly, seemingly bumping rudders with their snouts.

“This behaviour of the animals does&nbsp;not suggest&nbsp;that they are being aggressive,” Dr Zerbini told The Washington Post.

“Not all interactions have ended in vessel damage,” the scientists said.

Researchers believe that this new behaviour among orcas may disappear at some point, and could appear again at a later time.

(With inputs from agencies)

Orcas crashing into boats and sinking them in the Strait of Gibraltar may just be young killer whales playing around and following a behavioural trend, a marine biologist says.

Orcas crashing into boats and sinking them in the Strait of Gibraltar may just be young killer whales playing around and following a behavioural trend, a marine biologist says. Since May 2020 researchers have documented nearly 700 incidents of killer whales ramming into boats near the Iberian Peninsula. Also read: After OceanGate implosion, US billionaire plans another expedition to Titanic in submersible The unprecedented attacks on boats by killer whales in this region have left sailors and scientists baffled. The prevailing theory suggests the whales might be learning this behaviour from each other. Theories trying to explain the odd behaviour have ranged from food shortage – orcas treating the boats as competition for their preferred prey – and the sudden resumption of marine activities after the pandemic. Leading marine biologist Alex Zerbini, chair of the scientific committee at the International Whaling Commission (IWC), says the killer whale behaviour is most likely to be a new artistic practice without any purpose. In other words, the orcas may just be following a new fad, scientists now suspect. The marine biologists’ paper states, “different populations often have different dietary specialisations maintained by cultural communication, and these ‘ecotypes’ typically have a variety of persistent behavioural traditions related to their divergent foraging.” “Some populations may also develop unusual and temporary behavioural ‘fads’ and other idiosyncrasies that do not appear to serve any obvious adaptive purpose.” Interestingly, researchers point to a 1987 phenomenon in the South Pacific where young orcas began carrying dead salmon on their heads. Also read: Kilauea volcano could erupt like a 'stomp-rocket toy', says study This curious behaviour, with no purpose, eventually spread throughout the entire population. This particular behaviour disappeared soon thereafter, only to return in the summer of 2008 and then disappear once more. In another case of strange behaviour that appeared and disappeared teenage and adult male orcas have been documented exhibiting a ritualised ramming. Recent encounters with damaged boats involve young whales, who appear curious and approach slowly, seemingly bumping rudders with their snouts. “This behaviour of the animals does not suggest that they are being aggressive,” Dr Zerbini told The Washington Post. “Not all interactions have ended in vessel damage,” the scientists said. Researchers believe that this new behaviour among orcas may disappear at some point, and could appear again at a later time. (With inputs from agencies)

Killer whales may be crashing into boats, sinking them just for fun, new study reveals

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A group of orcas, also known as killer whales, assaulted and sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, situated between Spain and Morocco, according to a report from ABC News. The incident involved two people on board, who were later rescued by a Spanish rescue team.

The yacht, named Alboran Cognac and measuring 50 feet, was approximately 15 miles (24 km) away from Cabo Espartel in Morocco when it was rammed by a pack of orcas.

Although the crew members were safely rescued, authorities were unable to save he sinking vessel. Spanish officials have issued advisories for sailors to avoid specific areas while navigating through the region. The Strait of Gibraltar serves as a crucial passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, acting as a natural boundary between Europe and Africa.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ai-deciphers-sperm-whale-clicks-unravels-underwater-conversations-719623">Also read | AI deciphers sperm whale clicks, unravels underwater conversations</a>

According to GT Orca Atlantica, a conservation organisation, there have been over 700 documented killer whale attacks since 2020. The group also noted the presence of more than 37 orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar.

"During the summer and autumn of 2020, interaction events began to occur between several specimens of this species and vessels, mainly sailboats, both in the Strait of Gibraltar and in the waters of the Galician coast," according to Spanish government officials. "These interactions have ranged from persistent approaches to ships, to ramming the hull and rudder, causing various types of damage, which continue today."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/whales-are-struggling-to-communicate-due-to-human-noise-pollution-says-study-692782">Also read | Whales are struggling to communicate due to human noise pollution, says study</a>

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<h2>Deciphering Orca behaviour</h2>

Even experts are puzzled by why orcas sometimes attack boats. Some think they might see them as toys or threats.

For example, in October 2023, a yacht owned by a Polish tour company got hit by orcas for 45 minutes, causing big damage and sinking it.

In another case, during a sailing race last year, a boat from the Netherlands to Italy had a 15-minute standoff with orcas. The crew had to make noise to scare them off.

(With inputs from agencies)
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A group of orcas, also known as killer whales, assaulted and sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, situated between Spain and Morocco, according to a report from ABC News.

A group of orcas, also known as killer whales, assaulted and sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, situated between Spain and Morocco, according to a report from ABC News. The incident involved two people on board, who were later rescued by a Spanish rescue team. The yacht, named Alboran Cognac and measuring 50 feet, was approximately 15 miles (24 km) away from Cabo Espartel in Morocco when it was rammed by a pack of orcas. Although the crew members were safely rescued, authorities were unable to save he sinking vessel. Spanish officials have issued advisories for sailors to avoid specific areas while navigating through the region. The Strait of Gibraltar serves as a crucial passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, acting as a natural boundary between Europe and Africa. Also read | AI deciphers sperm whale clicks, unravels underwater conversations According to GT Orca Atlantica, a conservation organisation, there have been over 700 documented killer whale attacks since 2020. The group also noted the presence of more than 37 orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar. "During the summer and autumn of 2020, interaction events began to occur between several specimens of this species and vessels, mainly sailboats, both in the Strait of Gibraltar and in the waters of the Galician coast," according to Spanish government officials. "These interactions have ranged from persistent approaches to ships, to ramming the hull and rudder, causing various types of damage, which continue today." Also read | Whales are struggling to communicate due to human noise pollution, says study Deciphering Orca behaviour Even experts are puzzled by why orcas sometimes attack boats. Some think they might see them as toys or threats. For example, in October 2023, a yacht owned by a Polish tour company got hit by orcas for 45 minutes, causing big damage and sinking it. In another case, during a sailing race last year, a boat from the Netherlands to Italy had a 15-minute standoff with orcas. The crew had to make noise to scare them off. (With inputs from agencies)

Killer whales strike: 50-foot yacht sunk by orcas near Morocco

According to researchers, orcas&nbsp;depend heavily on Chinook salmon to ensure a healthy diet which the endangered&nbsp;killer whales trap in waters in California's Sacramento River to Taku river in northern British Columbia.

There are ten species of Pacific salmon with seven that occur in the pacific northwest including Sockeye, Chinook,&nbsp;Steelhead trout and Cutthroat trout, according to the centre for whale research.

Chinook salmon is the largest species with an average size of 13 kg,&nbsp;with the heaviest of them being at least 45 kg. However, it is the least abundant species. Salmons often travel over 30 miles per day during their spawning journeys.

The Chinook salmon has longer lifespans compared to other Pacific salmon.

Researchers gathered data on what the killer whales eat while cruising the outer Pacific coast by analysing the DNA of orca faeces including salmon scales and other remains after the whales finished off the fish. The data pointed towards the presence of Chinook salmon in the killer whale's diet.

Chinook salmons are widely found along the United States west coast including inner Columbia, Oregon coast and northern California coast.

According to researchers, orcas depend heavily on Chinook salmon to ensure a healthy diet which the endangered killer whales trap in waters in California's Sacramento River to Taku river in northern British Columbia.

According to researchers, orcas depend heavily on Chinook salmon to ensure a healthy diet which the endangered killer whales trap in waters in California's Sacramento River to Taku river in northern British Columbia. There are ten species of Pacific salmon with seven that occur in the pacific northwest including Sockeye, Chinook, Steelhead trout and Cutthroat trout, according to the centre for whale research. Chinook salmon is the largest species with an average size of 13 kg, with the heaviest of them being at least 45 kg. However, it is the least abundant species. Salmons often travel over 30 miles per day during their spawning journeys. The Chinook salmon has longer lifespans compared to other Pacific salmon. Researchers gathered data on what the killer whales eat while cruising the outer Pacific coast by analysing the DNA of orca faeces including salmon scales and other remains after the whales finished off the fish. The data pointed towards the presence of Chinook salmon in the killer whale's diet. Chinook salmons are widely found along the United States west coast including inner Columbia, Oregon coast and northern California coast.

Watch: Why killer whales love Chinook salmon

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Killer whales may be crashing into boats, sinking them just for fun, new study reveals

Killer whales strike: 50-foot yacht sunk by orcas near Morocco

Watch: Why killer whales love Chinook salmon