Orcas are known as the most fearsome apex predators of the ocean to other fix and marine mammals. To humans, they are known as friends or sources of entertainment, save for a handful of incidents where orcas are held in captivity, and a recent series of attacks on ships in the Iberian Peninsula’s ocean territories.
Now, after much research and frustration, scientists believe they know what has been causing teen orcas to attack stray ships and boats.
The information was revealed via an article by MyModernMet.com,
Orca Attacks Becoming Regular
Orca attacks in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea have become more regular since 2017 as the 6,600 to 8,800 pound apex predators have become more brazen in their attacks.
Orcas sunk a ship off the Straight of Gibraltar this past May according to the MyModernMet article. Over 670 “interactions” have taken place over the past four years between orca pods and human vessels.
Scientists Discover Surprising Cause of Orca Attacks
According to a report by the Atlantic Orca Working Group (GTOA), Iberian orca whales are “just playing.”
The juvenile and teen orcas have reportedly become bored due to the ease of hunting bluefin tuna, a population of prey fish that has exploded in recent months and years.
Because of the incredible success of orcas as hunters and predators, they oftentimes find themselves in need of new hobbies. While they won’t be mistaken for dolphins anytime soon in terms of their playfulness, orcas are regarded as a “curious bunch” in need of consistent mental stimulation.
Young Orcas Take Part in ‘TikTok Challenge’
The article stated that there is a ‘core group of 15 mischief makers’ among 40 orcas in the Iberian Peninsula region off the coast of Spain that have been engaging in such behavior.
The whales are typically either juveniles of adolescents and usually male. When one orca exhibits ship ramming behavior, others begin modeling it.
The article states that the orcas have “all been getting much bigger,” leading to increased mayhem for sailors, boat and ship crews, and boat captains in the region, along with plenty of mayhem for vessels that aren’t sure whether the region is safe to frequent.
Spanish officials have encouraged boaters to stay close to the shore and to not drop anchor in the water whenever they spot orcas in the water.
For more info, check out the video below:
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