“It’s interesting that we actually don’t know.”

Recently, there have been several high-profile cases of boats being attacked by orcas. Not least in the Strait of Gibraltar. In the past three years, there have been 500 incidents involving killer whales and boats in the area. During some of these incidents, killer whales sank three boats and caused severe damage to over a dozen others.

The latest victim of killer whales is the sailing yacht Alboran Champagne which was recently attacked by three cooperating killer whales, resulting in the boat draining water and sinking. CNN.

It is believed to belong to the same group

The killer whales suspected of being responsible for the attacks in the Strait of Gibraltar are believed to belong to the same group, which is estimated to consist of 15 individuals. The Strait of Gibraltar, the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the busiest waterways in the world. Although killer whales only approach a small percentage of all ships that pass through the strait, only 20 percent of encounters result in such severe damage that boats must be saved, he writes. CNN.

During the summer months, more encounters with killer whales occur as the killer whales’ main food, bluefin tuna, is found around Gibraltar. During the fall, tuna head towards northern Spain and are usually followed by killer whales.

The reason for the attacks

The reason for killer whales’ actions remains unclear.

– What I find exciting is that we actually don’t know him at all, he says Tom Mostelbiology Watchman.

There are theories that the attacks are based on curiosity and playfulness on the part of killer whales, or that killer whales like the feeling of rubbing themselves along the keels of boats, he writes. Watchman.

Read more: Killer whales attacked a sailboat — retired Will was on board: “Damn it!”