Off the coast of Galicia, Spain, Iberian orcas have been ramming boats again\u2014but scientists say it\u2019s not aggression.<\/p>\n
According to National Geographic, experts believe the whales have developed a learned cultural behavior, essentially turning rudder-bashing into a game passed down to younger pod members.<\/p>\n
Since 2020, the pod\u2014made up of about 40 orcas\u2014has been involved in hundreds of encounters with vessels, sometimes disabling or even sinking boats.<\/p>\n
Despite the damage, no humans have been injured, and researchers stress that if the orcas wanted to sink ships, they easily could.<\/p>\n
Instead, they seem focused on breaking rudders, a behavior that senior scientist Naomi Rose of the Animal Welfare Institute describes as playful rather than hostile.<\/p>\n
The animals are highly intelligent and known for developing unique cultural traditions, from hunting techniques to quirky fads like wearing salmon as \u201chats.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the ramming still ongoing in 2025, researchers worry the behavior has become a lasting cultural trait for this critically endangered group.<\/p>\n
While unsettling for mariners, scientists emphasize that retaliation is not the answer. Some crews have resorted to harmful tactics like throwing firecrackers, but such measures are both cruel and counterproductive.<\/p>\n
The International Whaling Commission has advised against aggression, recommending instead that boats remain calm, quiet, and attempt to move away.<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s Ministry of the Environment is even exploring modifications to rudder designs to deter orcas safely, alongside real-time tracking systems to help vessels avoid encounters.<\/p>\n