As detailed by Reuters, the pod damaged the rudder and pierced the hull of the 66-foot vessel. The apparent attack adds to a running list of incidents where orcas have caused damage to, or had physical interactions, with boats off the coast of Spain and Portugal this year. It's estimated that at least 20 interactions between boats and orcas whales have happened this month alone — and it's not just exclusive to this year. In 2022, there were 207 reported incidences.
The rising trend was first observed in 2020. The altercations have turned the orca into a personified meme on the internet in an anthropomorphized narrative in which the orcas are rebelling against seemingly wealthy people with boats. Jezebel reported "Solidarity! Orcas are sinking the rich." Memes suggest that the orcas are leading an uprising against billionaires. It's a nice thought given that private yachts have an outsized negative impact on the environment, but the reality is more complicated.
