<h5>Which boat has been sunk by orcas?</h5><p>Recently, a pod of orcas sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar near the coast of Morocco. This is the fourth boat sunk by orcas in the region in the last couple of years. The orcas repeatedly hit the rudder of Grazie Mamma II, a vessel owned by the Polish company Morskie Mile.</p><p>The orcas hit the rudder, damaging the vessel and causing it to fill with water. The yacht’s captain, crew members, and others worked together to pull the damaged yacht safely into Morocco’s Tanger-Med port. Despite their efforts, the vessel sank. Fortunately, the crew is safe and unharmed.</p><p>Researchers and sailors alike are confused by this kind of behaviour by the orcas in the region. Orca whales have been bumping into boats in the region since 2020. A study says the orcas have had encounters with fishing boats and motorboats in the area, but sailboats appear to be the most popular target.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/boat-sunk-by-orcas-in-the-strait-of-gibraltar%2FGrazie%20Mamma.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=81fd7a38-fe07-43af-a513-e0a9402bfe00"><figcaption>The Grazie Mamma II yacht. Photo by Morskie Mile.</figcaption></figure><h5>What are the orcas doing to the boats?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <iframe width="100%" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_YvB2Xezk9E" title="Orcas nudge rudder of yacht near Gibraltar" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><figcaption>Orcas nudging the rudder of a yacht. Video by Guardian News.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Generally, the orcas approach the stern of the boats quickly. Then, they pierce or crush the rudders with their teeth. The animals have also been spotted pressing their heads and sides into sailboats. This occasionally tears holes in the hull. But, sometimes, they cause no damage to the boats.</p><p>The encounters, including the recent one, usually include only a few orcas from a group of around 39. Currently, about 15 orcas are involved in the attacks.</p><h5>Why are the orcas doing this?</h5><p>Online rumours are circulating about an orca named White Gladis behind the attacks. The orca was allegedly injured in a boat encounter and is seeking revenge. There are healed injuries on her fins, but it's unclear whether a boat encounter caused them. This seems to be a wild theory, though.</p><p>Most scientists agree that there is no sign that White Gladis is training others to attack the boats. There’s also no reason why other orcas would risk their lives for her revenge. Scientists are also unsure whether White Gladis was involved in the recent incident.</p><p>Two experts also think the orcas are simply having fun or are looking at ways to scratch their backs. Wild orcas also don’t hunt or eat humans, so these attacks are not related to hunting.</p><p>Another theory scientists have is that the orcas enjoy the feel of the rudder. Still, no proper reason behind the incidents has been found.</p><h5>Can this behaviour spread among other orcas?</h5><p>Scientists think the present behaviour among the orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar region has probably spread from one individual. Orcas are intelligent species and can learn from their pod mates. So, it is possible that the behaviour is spreading among the group. However, this doesn't mean they are intentionally teaching each other to attack boats.</p><p>Also, the members of this pod don’t mix with other orcas. So, this behaviour might not spread to other orca groups.</p>

This is the fourth boat orca whales have sunk in the region.

Boat Sunk by Orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar

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Boat Sunk by Orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar

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