The article says they are destroying rudders, the sinking is a side effect that happened in a few cases.Frabjous said:Apparently orcas are learning killer ways.
https://www.livescience.com/animals...-to-be-teaching-others-to-do-the-same-but-why
The rudder is the most fragile part of most sailboats. The rudder is sometimes attached only to a metal tube that passes through the hull and is sometimes not well supported. A collision might easily bend the tube and disrupt the seal which is sometimes hard to access to repair a leak. Even keels can be suspect especially when there is too much optimism in new technology used for support/mounting/fastening and it is pushed too far.Hornbein said:The article says they are destroying rudders, the sinking is a side effect that happened in a few cases.
Possible they are teaching their young where to bite a shark to get its liver using a ship that doesn't bite back. More likely IMO (given their intellect) maybe someone in the family got hit because the sail boats are quiet, and they are simply "fed up" retaliating against a perceived threat.gleem said:The rudder is the most fragile part of most sailboats. The rudder is sometimes attached only to a metal tube that passes through the hull and is sometimes not well supported. A collision might easily bend the tube and disrupt the seal which is sometimes hard to access to repair a leak. Even keels can be suspect especially when there is too much optimism in new technology used for support/mounting/fastening and it is pushed too far.
Why the orcas have an interest in the boats is interesting. I wonder as some suggest that the particular orca had some experience with one resulting in an interest. A sailboat's underwater shape is very fish-like some more than others. Since orcas like shark livers could this "attack" be due to the fact the size, shape, and color resembled a great white? I would be interested in the color of the underwater hull since white or gray might make it look like a shark.
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are highly intelligent and social creatures. The reports of orcas interacting aggressively with boats, including sinking them, could be due to a variety of reasons. Some scientists speculate that these interactions may be playful behavior misinterpreted as aggression, or it could be a defensive response to threats perceived by the orcas from the boats. Another theory suggests that orcas might be reacting to previous negative experiences with boats or feeling threatened by their presence in their natural habitats.
Incidents of orcas sinking boats are relatively rare. While there have been several notable reports, especially in regions like the coasts of Spain and Portugal, these events are not common when considering the global population of orcas and the vast areas they inhabit. Most interactions between orcas and humans are either neutral or positive, with orcas often displaying curiosity rather than aggression.
Boaters should maintain a respectful distance from all marine wildlife, including orcas. It is advisable to follow guidelines and regulations set by wildlife authorities, which often include keeping a minimum distance from the animals and avoiding rapid changes in speed or direction. If orcas appear to be approaching, it is recommended to slow down and steer the boat in a way that minimizes disturbance, and if safe, to stop the boat until the orcas have passed.
Researchers study orca behavior using various methods including tagging, drone observations, and acoustic monitoring. Tagging allows scientists to track the movements and behavior of individual orcas. Drone footage provides a bird’s-eye view of orca interactions without disturbing them. Acoustic monitoring helps in understanding the communication and response of orcas to various stimuli, including the presence of boats. These studies help in gathering data on how orcas react to human activities and contribute to developing strategies to mitigate negative interactions.
Aggressive behaviors toward boats could potentially have negative impacts on orca populations if they lead to stricter regulations limiting human interaction or if they alter the public's perception of these animals. Additionally, such behaviors could be indicative of stress or distress among orca populations, possibly due to human activity or environmental changes. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for conservation efforts and ensuring that both human and orca populations can coexist safely.