<h5>Which boat has been sunk by orcas?</h5><p>Recently, a pod of orcas sank a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar near the coast of Morocco. This is the fourth boat the orcas have sunk in the same area in the past two years. The orcas kept hitting the rudder of the boat called Grazie Mamma II, causing it to get damaged and filled with water.</p><p>The crew tried to save the boat, but it still sank. Thankfully, nobody got hurt. Researchers and sailors are confused about why the orcas are doing this. Since 2020, the orcas have been bumping into boats in the same area. A study says the orcas have encountered fishing boats and motorboats in the area, but sailboats appear to be the most popular target.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/boat-sunk-by-orcas-in-the-strait-of-gibraltar%2FGrazie%20Mamma.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=81fd7a38-fe07-43af-a513-e0a9402bfe00"><figcaption>The Grazie Mamma II yacht. Photo by Morskie Mile.</figcaption></figure><h5>What are the orcas doing to the boats?</h5><p>Usually, the orcas quickly approach the stern of the boat. Then, they bite or break the rudder with their teeth. Sometimes, they also push their heads and bodies against sailboats, which can make holes in the boat. But, sometimes, they cause no damage to the boats.</p><h5>Why are the orcas doing this?</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <iframe width="100%" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_YvB2Xezk9E" title="Orcas nudge rudder of yacht near Gibraltar" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><figcaption>Orcas nudging the rudder of a yacht. Video by Guardian News.</figcaption></figure></div><p>There are online rumours that an orca named White Gladis is behind the recent boat incidents. Some people think she got hurt by a boat and now wants revenge. But this seems to be a wild story.</p><p>There are old injuries on her fin, but nobody is sure how she got hurt. Most scientists agree that there's no proof she's training other orcas to attack boats. Scientists aren't even sure if White Gladis was involved in the recent incidents.</p><p>Some experts think the orcas are just having fun or trying to scratch their backs. Another idea is that the orcas like how the boat's rudder feels. But there’s no clear answer for why these incidents are happening.</p><h5>Can this behaviour spread among other orcas?</h5><p>Scientists believe the orcas' strange behaviour in the area might have started with just one whale. Orcas are clever creatures who can learn things from their friends. So this behaviour could have spread within their group. But it doesn't mean they are teaching each other to attack boats.</p><p>These orcas usually stay with their own group and don't hang out with other orcas. So, this behaviour might not affect other orca whales.</p>

This is the fourth boat orca whales have sunk in the region.

Boat Sunk by Orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar

Collect 150 Hootcoins!

The Environmental Impact of Cryptocurrency

Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens

Antarctica’s Sea Ice Is at an All-Time Low

Boat Sunk by Orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar

Collect 150 Hootcoins!

Did you read these articles?

The Environmental Impact of Cryptocurrency

Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens

Antarctica’s Sea Ice Is at an All-Time Low