Scientists Think They Understand Why Orcas Crash Into Boats
Bizarre/Strange
Wednesday 5th, June 2024
The maritime community is increasingly concerned about a series of incidents involving orcas, also known as killer whales, attacking and damaging boats. Since 2020, there have been over 700 reported cases of orcas deliberately ramming vessels, particularly in the waters around Spain and Portugal.
This unusual behaviour is believed to have originated from an adult female orca named White Gladis, who is thought to have experienced a traumatic event involving a boat collision. Marine experts suggest this incident has sparked a behavioural trend, especially among younger orcas, that has since propagated through the population.
A recent study led by Alex Zerbini, a renowned marine biologist with the International Whaling Commission, proposes that these attacks may be a form of cultural tradition among the young orcas. Zerbini’s research indicates that orca populations often have distinct dietary habits and foraging behaviours passed down through cultural transmission. These behaviours form persistent traditions within 'ecotypes', or distinct groups of orcas with specific foraging strategies.
“Different populations often have distinct dietary specialisations maintained by cultural transmission, and these ‘ecotypes’ typically have a variety of persistent behavioural traditions related to their divergent foraging”, Zerbini and colleagues wrote in their study on the phenomenon. “Some populations may also develop unusual and temporary behavioural ‘fads’ and other idiosyncrasies that do not appear to serve any obvious adaptive purpose”.
According to the study, the current trend of boat ramming by orcas is one such fad. While it has become a prevalent activity, the duration of this behaviour remains uncertain. Similar fads have been observed in orca populations before, eventually fading over time.
The researchers continue to monitor these behaviours, aiming to understand the deeper implications of such 'fads' and their impact on both the orcas and human activities at sea. For now, those navigating the affected waters are urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.
Scientists continue to work the cause behind these attacks.
This unusual behaviour is believed to have originated from an adult female orca named White Gladis, who is thought to have experienced a traumatic event involving a boat collision. Marine experts suggest this incident has sparked a behavioural trend, especially among younger orcas, that has since propagated through the population.
A recent study led by Alex Zerbini, a renowned marine biologist with the International Whaling Commission, proposes that these attacks may be a form of cultural tradition among the young orcas. Zerbini’s research indicates that orca populations often have distinct dietary habits and foraging behaviours passed down through cultural transmission. These behaviours form persistent traditions within 'ecotypes', or distinct groups of orcas with specific foraging strategies.
“Different populations often have distinct dietary specialisations maintained by cultural transmission, and these ‘ecotypes’ typically have a variety of persistent behavioural traditions related to their divergent foraging”, Zerbini and colleagues wrote in their study on the phenomenon. “Some populations may also develop unusual and temporary behavioural ‘fads’ and other idiosyncrasies that do not appear to serve any obvious adaptive purpose”.
According to the study, the current trend of boat ramming by orcas is one such fad. While it has become a prevalent activity, the duration of this behaviour remains uncertain. Similar fads have been observed in orca populations before, eventually fading over time.
The researchers continue to monitor these behaviours, aiming to understand the deeper implications of such 'fads' and their impact on both the orcas and human activities at sea. For now, those navigating the affected waters are urged to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to ensure their safety.
Scientists continue to work the cause behind these attacks.
