"For killer whales to take out a piece of a fibreglass rudder is crazy," she told the Guardian. Orca Encounters Off Iberia Baffle Experts”, New York Times, September 20, 2020 reports that a well known school of Orcas (killer whales) whose resident range is around both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar, have suddenly started mass attacks on small boats." The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. "I've seen these orcas grow from babies, I know their life stories, I've never seen or heard of attacks.". And they have plenty of reason to be. killer whales. A group of rogue killer whales has been attacking boats off the coast of Spain and Portugal, and it is getting worse and worse, experts said. tear off part of the helm. To hunt, killer whales use their massive teeth, which can grow up to 4 inches (10cm) long. Neither could Rocío Espada. Last month, a Spanish Navy sailboat saw its rudder snapped off after one encounter with aggressive orcas. And in some cases, there have been reports of fishermen attacking the orcas. Orcas are particularly attracted by sail boats due to their size, the waves they make, and the lack of pollution they produce compared to fishing boats, Díaz said. “I don’t know when, but when tuna migrate from the Atlantic, orcas follow them and will end up forgetting about the abuse they suffered.”. Add some “good” to your morning and evening. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Since summer, the … Ezequiel Andréu Cazalla, a cetacean researcher who also spoke with The Observer, described the Gibraltar Strait as “the worst place for orcas to live.” A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you. But if that is true, then, you know, something needs to be done," she said. Victor J Hernandez, author and … There have been several reports of orcas working together, ramming boats with their heads. Hernandez said: “Sailors in the area who know Pingu’s pod very well due to their markings have claimed that they were attacked with harpoons in July. We know in South Africa that feeding monkeys and baboons does lead to aggressive actions when they come used to having food given to then and when food i not attacks take place. Orcas are particularly attracted by sail boats due to their size, the waves they make, and the lack of pollution they produce compared to fishing boats, Díaz said. The orcas, Morris said, were ramming into the keel, which is the flat blade beneath the boat that keeps it right-side up, and biting the rudder, which is essential for steering. Orcas are very clever. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "It was actually quite amazing to hear. Fellow sailor, 31-year-old Spaniard Alfonso Gomez-Jordana Martin, reported a similar experience less than a week prior, when a pod of four orcas attacked his 40-foot boat for over an hour and “nearly dislocated the helmsman’s shoulder and spun the whole yacht through 120 degrees.” As polar ice cover melts, it has allowed pods of orcas to swim … Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments are welcome while open. The presence of fishing and whale-watching boats in the area affects the orcas’ ability to swim freely and hunt bluefin tuna, which migrates along the Gibraltar strait. The University of Seville marine biologist has long observed the Gibraltar Strait orcas and says she's never seen anything like this. "They really just were going for us, and there was definitely no playing.". The boat was spinning around wildly, and the autopilot became disengaged, setting them adrift in the shipping lane. The killer whales started “ramming the hull, spinning the boat 180 degrees, disabling the autohelm and engine.” The orca pod kept pounding for an hour, which is 58 minutes longer than you on a good night. The resulting panic lead members of the ship to jump off the boat before proper emergency procedures were taken and lifeboats had been set to sea. this weekend . "It was like a whistle, like a very, very loud whistle, and there was lots of them, maybe about four or five of them were doing it at the same time. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. “They hit and bite the rudders because it reminds them of the harpoon incident.”. Victor J Hernandez, author and naturalist, said an illegal fishing incident in July has sparked an increasing number of run-ins between the animals and passing vessels. For other inquiries, Contact Us. He and some other scientists suggested to the Guardian the orcas are more than stressed — they're angry. Victoria Morris has had her fair share of orca encounters, but nothing quite like this. "All the people around us just were so gobsmacked and couldn't believe ... what happened," Morris said. ", "They asked us to repeat a quite a few times," she said. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Jörn Selling, a marine biologist for Firmm whale watching, suggested they may have gotten used to quieter waters during the COVID-19 restrictions and are upset to see the traffic levels spike again. A group of killer whales is launching coordinated attacks on boats off the coast of Spain By Yucatan Times on September 15, 2020 Killer whales are … Espada believes said the ramming could indicate stress, as Gibraltar orcas are endangered and often compete with fishing boats for food in the noisy and polluted waters in the busy strait. Hernandez said: “It is only a question of time. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Killer whales are mainly found in the open ocean, but can also be in coastal waters. Written by Sheena Goodyear. NEW MERCH AVAILABLE: https://theywillkillyou.com/Sea creatures, such as orcas, can be massive. View our online Press Pack. There, they were able to assess the damage: The keel was covered in bite marks and two-thirds of the rudder was torn right off. Eventually, they were rescued and towed to the nearby town of Barbate, she said. Another French sailboat has also suffered the attack of the killer whales in the vicinity of the Ons Islands, Pontevedra, according to Efe. Her only theory — which she noted is "just a hypothesis"  — is that the animals are stressed out. Orcas are known to attack great white sharks too, consuming their oil-rich livers, says National Geographic. Crafty Killer Whales Are Harassing Alaskan Fishing Boats Hungry orcas are making off with tens of thousands of pounds of cod and halibut This adorable orca could be plotting its next heist. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Although the majority of orcas ignore boats at sea, there are a few in northern Spain that are apparently interested in ramming into them, setting off a string of questions and a bit of apprehension. The orcas come to the area between July and early September to hunt bluefin tuna, which is also becoming more scarce, and for which they have to compete with humans. Hernandez, who authored the book Cetaceans: Introduction to the Iberian, Balearic and Canarian Species, believes the attacks have been carried out by a pod of between nine and 13 orcas, led by a male called Pingu. A pair of orcas were filmed apparently hunting a great white shark off the coast of South Africa. So far this … Audience Relations, CBC P.O. He added that killer whales are usually peaceful animals and that there had not been an incident with a vessel since the 1970s. Spain has suspended yachting off its north-west coast after a series of attacks by orcas ramming into sailing boats in the Atlantic. The Gibraltar orcas are endangered, with fewer than 50 remaining. The run-ins have mainly affected smaller boats sailing between two and eight miles from the coast. It's something Morris says sounds entirely plausible, especially if they're protecting their young. An interesting comment about far more fishing boats , and less/no "attacks" on fishing boats. Brian Butler is a fisherman from Cordova, Alaska, who captured an amazing scene while fishing: a pod of orcas playing and jumping out of the water. Though they do not typically attack humans, their name refers to the mammal's ability to take down large marine animals, such as sea lions and whales, according to Live Science. Orca Attacks Force Spain to Ban Yachting off Northwest Tip Spain has prohibited yachting across 100 kilometers (62 miles) of its northwestern coast after sailboats have been damaged by orca … The government temporarily banned sailboats sailing in the area to prevent further incidents on September 22. Interview produced by Lisa Bryn Rundle. Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest member of the dolphin family. At first, she says, they were "being lovely and playing around" — something she's experienced several times with orcas when she worked as a sailing instructor in New Zealand. Something has changed that's causing them to do this.". This stretch of water where the Iberian Peninsula juts out into the Atlantic Ocean is both rife with tuna for them to hunt and on their migration … Scientists who study the animals say they are baffled by the dramatic change in behaviour of marine mammals that are known to be friendly and playful. The area is home to a popular shipping route, which means there's a lot of marine traffic bringing noise and pollution. The swimming crew members were then ferociously attacked by a school of killer whales, that decimated a large number of the crew within moments. It's one of at least four reported instances this summer of orcas ramming into vessels in the Gibraltar Strait near Spain and Portugal, reports the Guardian newspaper. Victor Littlefield and his 14-year-old son were fishing when the whale attacked "They just started surrounding us in a circle, coming for the rudder and the keel," Morris told As It Happens host Carol Off. "They do have the capacity to be angry and they're very, very intelligent creatures and so it is very possible. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed, The moment several orcas interacted with a boat in what has been described by local media as an attack, An orca speeds by a boat during an unprovoked attack in Spain, Scientist Victor J Hernandez (pictured) believes the pod is seeking revenge for the harpoon attack in July, A pod of killer whales circle a boat in what an expert has called a revenge attack, Scientists have been baffled by attacks from killer whales, who are usually peaceful animals, A pod of orcas moving toward a boat in northern Spain, The giant mammals traveled alongside the boat in San Sebastian, Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). But none of these stress factors are new for the orcas. However, Hernandez warned sailors to not get closer than 100 metres to the pod and to leave them alone and to “ live in peace and enjoy them at a distance to avoid incidents”. A ROGUE orca pod is carrying out revenge a ttacks on boats following a harpoon strike by poachers, an expert has warned. On July 29, a pod of nine orcas rammed a 46-foot-long boat off the coast of Cape Trafalgar in the Straight of Gibraltar. Last Updated: 24th September, 2020 14:02 IST Orca Attacks On Boats In Spain Lead To Yachting Ban Off Northwest Tip Spain has prohibited yachting across 100 kilometers (62 miles) of its northwestern coast after a number of sailboats have been damaged by orca whales. Pods of orcas are ramming boats off Spain and Portugal and scientists don't know why, This orca mother has been holding her dead calf afloat for days, Orca that carried dead calf for 17 days gives birth to healthy new baby. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Their calves often die before maturing, and projections for the future of their population are grim. The recent biology grad was among the crew of a 14-metre sailboat off Spain on July 29 when they found themselves surrounded by a pod of nine orcas. And it was just so loud," she said. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. from the Spanish boat. "I think as bad as it is that all these attacks have been happening, especially to us, but I think in a way it's also a good thing because it's turned the spotlight on the fact that there is a problem. Listed as endangered since 2005, the orcas' population has been declining over the years. In several attacks over the last couple of months, orcas have damaged boats and injured sailors, according to The Guardian. That means they are sometimes injured by fishing vessels, or entangled in nets. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This stretch of water where the Iberian Peninsula juts out into the Atlantic Ocean is both rife with tuna for them to hunt and on their migration … The attacks, some of which have left boats damaged, have taken place in different parts of the Spanish north coast, particularly around Galicia in the north-west. Killer whales have been ramming yachts and boats off the coast of Northern Spain and researchers are puzzled by their behavior. The footage was filmed by marine tour guide Donavan … There have been several reports of orcas striking sailing boats in the Straits of Gibraltar in recent months. A group of ‘rogue’ orcas who have been ramming boats off the coasts of Spain and Portugal could be “playing”, according to experts. "Like, 'Can you confirm that you are actually under attack by orcas?". On July 29, a boat was surrounded by nine orcas off Cape Trafalgar, in the south-west of Spain. Victoria Morris has had her fair share of orca encounters, but nothing quite like this. So why would they suddenly start behaving aggressively? Alaska fishing boats wouldn’t be the only northerners to be seeing more orcas lately. She noted there were two babies among the group that rammed and bit her boat. Full report . Below deck, the experience was even more intense, Morris says, as you could actually hear the orcas communicating. It's unclear whether these are intentional attacks or accidents. It felt like a co-ordinated attack, she said, and it lasted for more than an hour. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Over the past two months, orcas have damaged about a dozen pleasure boats off the Iberian Peninsula from the Strait of Gibraltar to the coast … “The crew of the illegal fishing boat was probably scared when they saw them approaching so close.”. They live in groups called “pods” that are able to work together. He believes the orcas will keep up the same behaviour until they eventually forget about the alleged harpoon attack. ", When the crew called for help, Morris says "it was almost like they didn't believe us at first. More snow to blanket Britain next week as new Beast from the East to hit, Harrowing images from NHS frontline reveal true impact of Covid pandemic, Arsenal ace Ian Wright is finally reunited with long-lost golden boot, Love Island’s Malin Andersson reveals photos of injuries caused by violent ex, UAE removed from UK travel corridor list after influencers flocked to Dubai, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. The pod usually arrives into Spanish waters chasing schools of red tuna that are migrating from the Atlantic Ocean. in the Rías Baixas. According to SeaWorld, it is difficult to know the number of killer whales given their worldwide distribution, but it is estimated that there are about 50,000. This meeting took place in the waters of Corrubedo, A Coruña, and at one point the killer whales came to . The area is home to a major shipping lane, whale watching tourism and a commercial fishing industry. And in some cases, there have been reports of fishermen attacking the orcas. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). According to Hernandez, orcas have a good memory - like dolphins: “Two of the youngest orcas have been hitting sailboats because they are traumatised by these kinds of vessels. 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