Orcas, also known as killer whales, rarely interfere with boats. But since May 2020, some of these highly intelligent and social mammals have changed their behaviour. There has been an increase in incidents of orcas breaking rudders and even sinking yachts in the strait of Gibraltar. This behaviour seems to be spreading. In June, orcas rammed into a yacht in the North Sea off Shetland, about 2,000 miles away from the initial incidents.
Philip Hoare, a journalist and author of Albert and the Whale, tells Michael Safi about the theories scientists have for why this might be happening. He explains how our relationship with the orca has changed over time and what we need to do to protect this species.
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