Participants in this year’s Copa del Rey sailing regatta in Mallorca have been attacked by killer whales for the third time. The boat “Tiro” from Portugal was attacked by two of these marine mammals before entering the Strait of Gibraltar, skipper Nuno Vasco Barreto told the specialized portal “Gaceta Náutica”. The incident occurred on Friday off the southern Spanish coastal municipality of Barbate, but has only now become known.
The rudder that was smashed in the process is currently being repaired in Valencia, it said. As with the first two incidents, the boat was attacked while on its way to Mallorca to participate in the Copa del Rey, the ‘King’s Cup’. The regatta for the island in the Mediterranean starts on Saturday. Spain’s King Felipe VI usually takes part in the competition. (55) joined his boat.
Reports of orca attacks off the coasts of Spain and Portugal have been piling up for months. According to the organization GT Orca Atlántica (GTOA), they are mainly found in the Strait of Gibraltar. Here, on July 11, the first attack of this year took place on a participant in the regatta in Mallorca. The boat “Corsario” was badly damaged. Nine days later, the sailing boat “Kapote III” fell victim to such an incident.
Exact reasons still unknown
Although the term “attacks” is always used, researchers prefer to speak of “interactions” because the exact reason for these incidents is not known. Some, such as the president of the environmental organization Circe, Renaud de Stephanis, are convinced that the animals, known as killer whales, just want to play.
“Invented Something New”
Meanwhile, GTOA biologist Alfredo López says it could also be a reaction to a negative experience with a ship. But it’s also possible that the highly intelligent animals of the dolphin family simply “invented something new” for themselves.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
