The Threat of Killer Whale Attacks in Spain and Portugal

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In the beginning it was just a few of them and now approximately at least 15 individuals has been seen engaged in this behavior. They are all from the same population, from the same group, they're probably all related to some degree. The typical thing is to see 5, 6, 7 animals together. I haven't experienced it myself but I've spoken to quite a few who have had quite frightening experience. There's been about 500 of those since it started in 220. It's not a small problem, it's actually quite a big problem.

Since 2020, orcas off the coast of Spain and Portugal have been ramming boats, biting rudders and, in a few cases, sinking entire vessels. Now it has been reported that a similar encounter has happened off Shetland. Madeleine Finlay speaks to marine biologist and orca expert Hanne Strager about what might be behind these incidents and where our fascination with orcas comes from This podcast was amended on 27 June 2023. An earlier version contained audio of the calls of a humpback whale, not an orca. This audio has now been removed.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod