killer whales capsize sailing boat in the Strait of Gibraltar
At 9 am on a Sunday, the small shipping vessel named Alboran Cognac, 15 meters (49 feet) long with two passengers on board, met up with the highly social apex predators - the killer whales. Suddenly, the passengers reported feeling hard hits on the hull and rudder of their ship, followed by water seeping in. They promptly reached out to the rescue services while a nearby oil tanker came to their aid, taking them on board and transporting them to Gibraltar. Tragically, the yacht was left stranded and eventually sank.
This is just one of the many instances of orca rammings in the Gibraltar Strait, an area separating Europe from Africa and along the Atlantic coast of Portugal and northwestern Spain. A specific group of 15 killer whales, labeled by experts as "Gladis," are thought to be responsible for these events.
The research group GTOA, focusing on the Iberian orca population, has recorded close to 700 interactions since the first reports of orcas attacking ships in this area surfaced in May 2020.
It's yet unclear what leads these orcas to this behavior. Some experts speculate it could be an expression of natural curiosity, a social trend, or a strategic attack on what they perceive as competitors for their preferred prey, the native bluefin tuna.
It's important to note that despite their fearsome name, orcas are, in fact, part of the dolphin family. These majestic creatures can grow up to eight meters (26 feet) in length and weigh up to six tons as adults.
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In light of the ongoing incidents, travel agencies and airlines in Germany are closely monitoring the situation in the Gibraltar Strait to ensure the safety of their passengers. Despite the threats posed by orcas, many enthusiasts still dream of embarking on a sailing adventure, hoping to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
Source: edition.cnn.com