Researchers Think other Orcas are Imitating a Single Killer Whale that First Started Targeting Boats, Leading some to Sink

For nature and animal lovers, it’s no great revelation that people don’t always treat other animals with the kindness and respect they deserve. However, as more information becomes readily available, we’ve all learned more about how animals have been treated. Furthermore, we’re learning how that treatment has impacted the way they interact with humans, including the orcas. Seemingly inspired by a grudge from matriarch White Gladis, the whales have become increasingly violent toward boats in recent years.

Wild and Free

Recently, European news reports have focused on a strange occurrence involving orcas. Also called killer whales, these precious creatures have been held in captivity for years and trained to perform for audiences.

Orcas Attack

In contrast to the hardships faced by animals in captivity, White Gladis, one of the estimated 50,000 orcas who still exist worldwide, has never been held captive. Yet, she appears to have a grudge against humanity. Seemingly “teaching” other orcas to follow her behaviors when coming in contact with a boat in open waters. While this is currently just speculation, researchers are hard at work to solve the mystery.

In the last month alone, more than 20 incidents have been reported. However, since May of 2020, there have been around 500 reports made regarding orcas attacking boats. For example, last year, the Marine Mammal Science journal published a study showing certain statistics that reflect this increase.

Salvaging Wreckage Caused by Orcas

Luckily, of all the recorded attacks, only three vessels have sunk or been reported unsalvageable. The most recent reported attack by orcas involves a British boat near Gibraltar. Interestingly, this is the same area where the majority of the other attacks have been reported. Moreover, some have also been recorded off the coasts of Spain and Portugal.

The most recent attack involved the orcas breaking the boat’s rudder and piercing the hull after ramming it. The small crew of 4 contacted Spanish officials for help, when their vessel, “the Mustique” came under attack. Luckily, a rapid-response vessel and helicopter were deployed to rescue the distressed crew. Taken to be serviced and repaired at the port of Barbate, the vessel will likely make a speedy, and costly, recovery.

Passengers Divulge their Experiences

April Boyes, 31 years old, was a sailor on the vessel at the time and had much to say about the incident. “What started off as a seemingly unique encounter ended with orcas breaking off our rudder from the boat, then proceeding to tear bits off the boat for an hour.” Boyes stated in a video shared to social media, “A huge hole in the hull meant we had water ingress to other parts of the boat and the engine room, and I can honestly say it was a scary experience. We are all safe. I’m feeling grateful for the coastguard.”

Orcas Cause Significant Damage

Sadly, in other instances of the “attack of the orcas,” some boats were not salvageable, including the “Alborán Champagne.” A sailing yacht that suffered so much damage it was completely flooded and left to sink. Werner Schaufelberger, captain of the yacht, disclosed that he witnessed two smaller whales imitating the “ramming tactic” of a larger orca, believed to be White Gladis. “The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side,” he explained. “The two little orcas copied the bigger one’s technique and, with a slight run-up, came darting towards the boat. Mainly on the rudder, but also the keel.”

Read: SeaWorld horror as killer whales attempts to drown trainer in resurfaced footage

Another Notable Attack

Only two days prior to that, six orcas were reported to have rammed the hull of a Bavaria 46 cruiser yacht. Ultimately costing thousands in repairs. Photographer, and 58-year-old, Stephen Bidwell was a passenger and shared, “I kept reminding myself we had a 22-ton boat made of steel, but seeing three of them coming at once, quickly and at pace with their fins out of the water, was daunting. A clearly larger matriarch was definitely around and was almost supervising,” he added. Insinuating that perhaps the orca White Gladis was responsible for the attack.

Researchers Draw Their Own Conclusions

While some aspects of the orca’s grudge may never be known, researchers are positive of a few things. Additionally, postulating a few other details. The orca White Gladis is confirmed to never have been held in captivity. Therefore, it’s not completely clear how her grudge came about. However, researchers have surmised she “suffered a critical moment of agony” speculating that she may have collided with a fishing boat or became trapped during illegal fishing. As a result, of the possible traumatic experience, she’s become more “defensive” against boats sailing through those open waters.

Professionals Protecting Orcas

So how are the possibly resentful orca teaching others to attack? Surprisingly, not through communication but through her actions. Other orcas imitate her behaviors as they see her ramming boats, then follow suit. Renowned biologist Alfredo Lopez Fernandez explained, “That traumatized orca is the one that started this behavior of physical contact with boats.”

Further disclosing, “We do not interpret that the orcas are teaching the young, although the behavior has spread to the young vertically, simply by imitation, and later horizontally among them, because they consider it something important in their lives.”

Meanwhile, other scientists have deduced a number of other likely reasons, such as an attempt to play or aggression stemming from the scarcity of available food. “They are incredibly curious and playful animals and so this might be more of a play thing as opposed to an aggressive thing,” Deborah Giles, also a biologist shared. Interestingly, the orcas have been noted to leave the boat alone, once it has been stopped completely.

Sadly, these attacks are a safety concern for boat passengers, which may ultimately derail conservation efforts. However, orcas and all other animals play a vital role in maintaining our ecosystem. As a result, our only solution may be learning to co-exist harmoniously with these giants.

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