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Aggressive Orcas Sinking Boats off Iberian Coast Puzzle Researchers

  • A group of three orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar have sunk three boats in the past three years.
  • Researchers believe the behavior may have started with an orca nicknamed White Gladis who had a traumatic experience with a boat.
  • The behavior seems to be spreading through social learning to other orcas in the population.
  • While some experts think the behavior is playful, others believe it is purposeful and aggressive.
  • The orca attacks do not seem motivated by revenge or aggression toward humans.
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