OUT FOR BLOOD
Rogue pod of orcas attacking boats in REVENGE for harpoon slaughter by poachers, expert warns
A ROGUE orca pod is carrying out revenge attacks on boats following a harpoon strike by poachers, an expert has warned.
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.
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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.
The run-ins have mainly affected smaller boats sailing between two and eight miles from the coast.
Last month, a Spanish Navy sailboat saw its rudder snapped off after one encounter with aggressive orcas.
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.
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The pod usually arrives into Spanish waters chasing schools of red tuna that are migrating from the Atlantic Ocean.
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.
“The crew of the illegal fishing boat was probably scared when they saw them approaching so close.”
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.
“They hit and bite the rudders because it reminds them of the harpoon incident.”
He believes the orcas will keep up the same behaviour until they eventually forget about the alleged harpoon attack.
Hernandez said: “It is only a question of time.
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“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.”
He added that killer whales are usually peaceful animals and that there had not been an incident with a vessel since the 1970s.
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”.
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest member of the dolphin family.
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 .
To hunt, killer whales use their massive teeth, which can grow up to 4 inches (10cm) long.
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Killer whales are mainly found in the open ocean, but can also be in coastal waters.
Orcas are known to attack great white sharks too, consuming their oil-rich livers, says .
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According to , it is difficult to know the number of killer whales given their worldwide distribution, but it is estimated that there are about 50,000.
Listed as endangered since 2005, the orcas' population has been declining over the years.
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