Gladis the killer whale strikes again! Sailing vessel off Gibraltar becomes the first this year to be sunk by orcas that have been targeting boats in the area since 2020

UK Daily Mail ^ | May 14, 2024 | Miriam Kuepper

[Twotone]

A sailing vessel off Gibraltar has become the first this year to be sunk by orcas that have been targeting boats in the area since 2020.

Crew members of the Alboran Cognac boat called rescue services for help around 9am on Sunday, saying that their ship had been damaged by orcas 14 miles from Cape Spartel, at the southern entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, in Moroccan waters.

The sailors said they had felt hits on the hull, before their rudder was damaged and they noticed a leak threatening to sink their 50ft boat, local outlet El Pais reports.

They were swiftly rescued by a nearby oil tanker around 10am, but the sailboat drifted off and sank following the orca attack.

Experts reportedly believe that the first ship wreck caused by orcas should be attributed to 15 Iberian killer whales, which are known as gladis.

[marktwain]

A hundred years ago, most boats would have had a rifle on board.

Killer whales are not immune to rifle fire.

[G Larry]

Nobody seems to have noticed the shots being fired at the whales from the boat doing the video.

It seems to have been a fully auto weapon being fired in short bursts.

[G Larry]

See post #22 and then watch the end of the video.

[rlmorel]

I see it a bit differently...:)

Check out this video (full link below)

LINK: Penguin chased by a pack of Orcas saves itself from certain death

In this video, a penguin is being chased by a pack of Orcas. This spunky little guy manages to save himself by jumping into a boat (an inflatable boat!) full of tourists!

This Penguin became my instant hero!

After he went under the boat and leaped into it from the opposite side to the astonishment of the watching humans, instead of cowering in fear on the bottom of the boat, he leaps up onto the slick side and parades in front of the disappointed orcas, who look at him sideways before swimming away in defeat!

This was how I envisioned the Penguin:

Now, with no effort at all, the Orcas, who are CLEARLY not afraid of the humans in the boat, could have just tipped the raft and had their meal. But they didn't. People may say I am anthropomorphizing those orcas, and I plead guilty, but I think they are intelligent enough to know that mangling or eating humans is not worth the problems it would bring down on them.

I believe they do a calculus, and decide to cut their losses and look for another meal. I really do think they are intelligent enough to understand that.

[rlmorel]

Heh, and just in case anyone who thinks I will stand by that sentiment by leaping into a pack of Orcas to show how reluctant they are to directly attack humans...it won’t happen!

It is interesting to read Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton’s memoir “South” where he talks about how they came across these huge holes in the ice with gigantic ton-sized pieces of ice around them caused by Orcas smashing through the ice to catch seals and penguins. He said he thought if given the chance, they might do the same to him or members of his crew.

They didn’t, but he didn’t want to take the chance, and I don’t blame him a bit.

[No name given]

Free Willy is angry 😡.

[No name given]

I hope so.

[al baby]

seal chasers are better

[metmom]

That had to smell interesting......

[Rio]

These are the Sicilian killer whales.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Same thing, basically.

[usurper]

I hate the Daily Mail and refuse to turn off my add blocker so can’t see their vids.

[beethovenfan]

Da mob.

[Ann Archy]

Arent they really killer DOLPHINS?

[marktwain]

Correct, but the name has traditionally been killer whale.

[Ann Archy]

Because of FLIPPER and the fish, dolphin.