I am curious about the orca attacks in the Mediterranean. Since 2020, orcas have been mysteriously attacking sailboats. They don't hurt the sailors, but they have been known to aim straight for the rudder, with no playing whatsoever. Since 2020, there have been 500 interactions. Three resulted in sunken ships. Reports say that one female orca has begun the attacks, and the others are copying. Scientists are unsure whether the orcas are attacking, playing, or teaching their young to "hunt" by pretending that rudders are tuna.
Do you have any insight into this situation? My husband and I are both sailors and we planned to sail through this region. I am curious to hear about the orcas' motives, and if there is anything we can say to them to discourage them from attacking boats. Kelly & Sebastian
I communicated with an orca who is a leader in the area. Here is what she conveyed:
Our aim has always been to live in harmony in the oceans, guarding life in accord with our part of the balance. We have co-existed peacefully with humans even when their actions have harmed us, the health of the ocean, and other forms of life. It is time for humans to pay attention and change their actions.
During my life, I and other orcas have experienced both friendly and offensive interactions initiated by humans. Our policy has been to go about our business and let humans go about theirs. However, I have reached my limit of tolerance of abuse by humans.
Some humans think it is a game to chase, harass, and run down our kind with their sailing craft. Years ago, humans singled me out for my size and leadership in the pod. I got injured when I tried to block the negative actions from hurting other orcas. I have suffered from the effects of these injuries.
We are also aware of toxic substances dumped into the ocean that cause us to be ill and poison or kill the fish and other creatures we need for sustenance. Human actions threaten our environment, our life, and the life of many beings.
I am hurting, and my lifespan has been shortened. I want to help humans understand that now is the time to change to reverse detrimental effects on water and land for the sake of all beings. We must speak up. We must be heard. I have passed on my message to my relations that we need to get human attention before they cause more harm.
Who is listening? Until we get positive responses from humans who cause the harm, we will attempt to get across to them in ways we hope they can understand.
Kelly and Sebastian, I recommend that you communicate to the orcas about your intentions and what you will do to mitigate the harm caused to them and the ocean. It's what they are asking for.
Note added July 16, 2023: Please read the previous message from an Orca representative after a similar query about Orcas ramming boats made in September 2020, Orcas Issue a Wakeup Call to Humanity. I didn’t remember that I wrote about this subject three years ago until I came across this article again in reviewing the Animal Ecological Messages section. I invite you, too, to read again the messages of the two Orca representatives who communicated about this issue.
