In the Strait of Gibraltar, orcas have been ramming and sinking boats, which may just be a playful trend among teenage killer whales, according to marine biologist Alex Zerbini.
Since May 2020, researchers have documented nearly 700 incidents of orcas ramming into boats near the Iberian Peninsula, baffling sailors and scientists.
Various theories have been proposed to explain this behavior, ranging from food scarcity to the sudden resumption of nautical activities post-pandemic. However, Zerbini, chair of the scientific committee at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and part of a working group by the Spanish and Portuguese governments, believes the orcas’ actions might be a new “cultural tradition” without an obvious, akin to a fad.
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Zerbini and other scientists suggest that different orca populations often have distinct dietary specializations and behavioral traditions, which are culturally transmitted.
These traditions can include temporary fads that do not serve any clear adaptive purpose. For example, in 1987, South Pacific killer whales developed a habit of carrying dead salmon on their heads, a behavior that started with younger individuals and spread throughout the population before disappearing. This peculiar behavior reappeared briefly in 2008 and then vanished again.
Another unusual behavior observed among orcas involved pairs of teenage and adult males engaging in ritualized ramming or butting of their heads, which also appeared and disappeared within a 20-year span.
The recent incidents near the Iberian Peninsula mostly involve juvenile orcas that approach vessels slowly, seemingly trying to gently bump rudders with their snouts. Zerbini emphasizes that the behavior does not appear aggressive, noting that not all interactions result in vessel damage.
Researchers speculate that this new behavior might eventually fade away, only to potentially reappear later. Zerbini explains that the orcas likely do not understand that their playful actions can damage rudders and impact humans.
He suggests that the current fascination of Iberian killer whales with boats and rudders may be an ephemeral fad that could cease and later reemerge.
The article highlights the curious and unpredictable nature of orca behavior, underscoring the importance of ongoing research to better understand these complex and intelligent marine animals.
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