Fourth Yacht Sunk by Orcas in Strait of Gibraltar in Ongoing String of Attacks

Marine experts are uncertain whether the orcas' increasingly destructive behavior toward vessels in the Strait of Gibraltar, which has resulted in the sinking of four yachts since 2021, is a result of past trauma, a "fad" among younger orcas, or simply playful activity.

In a recent string of orca attacks in the Strait of Gibraltar, a fourth sailing yacht was sunk on Halloween, after a 45-minute assault by a pod of killer whales, causing significant hull damage.
Marine scientists are divided on the reasoning behind these attacks, suggesting it could be due to past trauma, a new trend among young orcas, or simply a form of play. One theory points to an orca named White Gladis teaching others to attack yachts following an incident with a boat or fishing nets.
Since the start of these attacks in 2020, the orcas primarily target the rudders of the vessels. The Strait of Gibraltar and the Portuguese coast have been the main affected areas, but a single incident occurred off the coast of Scotland.
The attacks have been documented primarily during June to October, with some incidents continuing into the winter months. In 2023, there have been 47 reported interactions with orcas in the region, not all resulting in attacks.
Although some online narratives ascribe human motivations like revenge to the orcas, scientists caution against this. Instead, they theorize that the attacks could be seen as a game to the orcas, using boat rudders as a plaything and potentially passing this behavior through the population as a learned fad.