How do teenage whales rebel? In the Strait of Gibraltar, by sinking ships
How do teenage whales rebel? In the Strait of Gibraltar, by sinking ships
Killer whales have been ramming and sinking boats and yachts in the Strait of Gibraltar. It turns out they're not being aggressive. They're just bored teenage whales, looking for something to do.
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
You've probably heard the reports. Since 2020, killer whales have been ramming yachts and other boats, which seems pretty aggressive, and they've sometimes managed to sink the boats. Are orcas fighting back against humans, who've been known for overfishing and polluting waterways, not to mention climate change?
A group of orca experts gathered in February to examine what might be behind these interactions that whales are having with boats, and they've come up with an answer. Apparently, the whales aren't being aggressive. They're just bored teenage orcas looking for something to do. Some of the report's authors told USA Today that the sea doesn't provide much stimulation for young killer whales, so pushing and breaking boat rudders can be a source of entertainment.
So what can boat owners do to avoid these rowdy teenagers? Well, they advise avoiding areas where these orcas are likely to be. They also suggest making the rudders look like jellyfish. Killer whales hate jellyfish. And if all else fails, you may need to find a way to call their moms. How do you say, come get your kids, in whale language?
(SOUNDBITE OF CHARLIE HUNTER'S "DIFFORD TILBROOK")
Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.