Orcas keep slamming into boats off the Spanish coast, sinking some of them, leading researchers to believe they might be driven by a single revenge-bent female. Three boats have been struck over the past few weeks in the Strait of Gibraltar, sinking two of them.
Orcas can almost certainly hold grudges… A fatal attack on humans by wild orcas has never been documented though there have been several incidents of captive Orcas killing or injuring their handlers. Orcas learn novel hunting techniques from each other, that are often specific to one group, a sort of “animal culture”.
For example, orcas, the largest member of the dolphin family and one of the most intelligent and socially skilled marine mammals have been observed in both the wild and captivity showing severe signs of the grieving process.
Captive orcas also display aggression towards each other, as well as self-destructive behavior. Rake marks and injuries inflicted are often observed on captive orcas, while it is also well-documented that captive marine mammals engage in harmful stereotypic behaviors such as gnawing on tank walls or gates.
The study also examined the social structures of wild orcas, the intense emotional bonds they form with one another, and the depression they may endure when a loved one dies. These facts, combined with the shortened lifespans of captive individuals, paints a tragic picture of the harms captivity causes.
Corky: The Saddest Orca in the World.
Corky the orca has been suffering at SeaWorld for almost her entire life. She was born off the coast of British Columbia, where she lived happily with her family in what's called a “pod.” But one day, some mean people came and kidnapped her, and she has been trapped in a tank ever since.
Orcas are social mammals that will readily bond with humans. Humans and non-humans demonstrate corresponding behavior, body language, and vocalizations which by argument to analogy could indicate synchronized emotional states.
She was the fourth orca ever captured, and the second female. She was caught in October 1965 and died in August 1971, after about six years of captivity. After her death, the name Shamu continued to be used in SeaWorld "Shamu" shows for different orcas in different SeaWorld parks.
SeaWorld often keeps dolphins, whales, and other animals trapped with incompatible tankmates. The tension leads to fights and even fatal injuries. Staff members drug some animals to try to relieve their endless frustration.
Although whales don't produce tears, they are known to moan, whine and vocalize their emotions when upset and use this to vent their feelings and let other whales understand how they are feeling.
Orca Whales Mourn Their Dead, Just Like Us. A mother orca carries her dead newborn. Several species of whales show signs of mourning.
Speaking on this Anna Selbmann observed: “It's quite unusual because the killer whale is this top predator. It's very unusual that they're afraid of anything—or seemingly afraid.” Selbmann is a doctoral candidate at the University of Iceland and she is supervised by Samarra.
Because of their intelligence and social nature, orca whales are unlikely to attack humans out of aggression or hostility. In fact, there have been numerous instances of orca whales coming to the aid of humans who were in danger, such as when a group of orca whales helped a diver escape from a shark attack.
What would happen? A new study conducted by researchers at the Monterey Aquarium in California reveals that great whites are fearful of Willy and friends! This discovery confirms that the ultimate predator of the oceans, the one that reigns at the top of the food chain, is not the shark, but the killer whale!
Confined to an enclosure that was, to him, the size of a bathtub, he slowly lost his mind. Finally, his body gave out as well. Tilikum died in an artificial environment where he did not belong. He never again felt the waves and tides or knew the joy of swimming with his family and exploring the vast ocean.
Blackfish tells the story of Tilikum, the homicidal killer whale, and his most recent victim, Dawn Brancheau, the SeaWorld trainer he crushed, dismembered, and partially swallowed in 2010. The film is an indictment of SeaWorld, its safety practices, its animal husbandry, its mendacity, and its whole reason for being.
In 1971, a SeaWorld San Diego secretary riding the original Shamu for a publicity stunt suffered lacerations and puncture wounds when she was tossed into the water and seized by her legs. At least 14 local SeaWorld trainers were injured by killer whales during a four-month period beginning in August 1987.
Wursig suspects Tilikum lashed out for much the same reason that humans lash out. "Even though whales are bright and very well trained, they can show aggressivity if they feel threatened or if they're in a bad mood," he says. "It can also be displacement, if they haven't had a good time with their pod members."
Is it safe to swim or dive with Orcas? Yes, however, you have to be very cautious, because they are still wild animals and need attention all the time. Orcas owe their name “killer whale” to the early whalers Because they apparently attacked and killed all other animals, even the largest whales.
Orcas are the largest natural threat to sperm whales, though pilot whales and false killer whales are also known to hunt them. Orcas go after entire sperm whale pods and will try to take a calf or even a female, but the male sperm whales are generally too big and aggressive to be hunted.
Declining health and death
SeaWorld announced in March 2016 that Tilikum's health was deteriorating, and it was thought he had a lung infection due to bacterial pneumonia. In May 2016, it was reported Tilikum's health was improving. On January 6, 2017, SeaWorld announced that Tilikum had died early in the morning.
Kiska, the world's loneliest orca, dies at Canada's Marineland : NPR. Kiska, the world's loneliest orca, dies at Canada's Marineland Canada's last captive killer whale died on Thursday at Marineland, according to local media. The orca, who has been in captivity since she was about 3 years old, was 47.