By studying the behavior of killer whales it emerged that the animals are driven by curiosity and have no predatory intentions
In recent months in Portugal and Spain several reports of attacks on boats by killer whales damaging the boats and injuring members of the various crews.
The killer whales started hitting boats last summer and to date there are around 30 reports affecting almost the entire Iberian Atlantic coast, from Gibraltar to A Coruña.
Scientists were initially amazed by this behavior and failed to come up with one response to so much aggression.
The mystery of the killer whales attacking ships in Spain and Portugal
Attacks by killer whales led marine biologists and cetacean scholars to join in research team to exchange information useful to clarify the reasons behind such incidents.
Looking at the records of three young killer whales during the last attack which took place a week ago off the coast of Sines, experts today came to a conclusion: it would not be a violent demonstration, but of a fun game for animals.
According to experts, in fact, the attitude of the three killer whales was typical of the game. The killer whales are attracted by the boats and, intrigued, they touch and move them, but without predatory intentions. The hypothesis that this is a negative reaction to traumatic events and accidents between killer whales and boats is very unlikely.
In case of close encounters with killer whales, the scientists advise to warn the authorities, to avoid frightening the animals, not to enter the water and to reduce any sound and visual stimuli that may arouse curiosity in the killer whales. Turning off the engine and lights and adopting a passive attitude may be enough to keep the killer whales away.
Reference source: Publico
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