Orcas
Latest about Orcas
![A Type D killer whale breaks the surface of the ocean with its fin and body above the surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U89RANoDhCTS7iyijPU5uV-320-80.jpg)
Mystery orcas with bulbous heads wash up dead in unexplained mass stranding
By Ethan Freedman published
The nine Type D orcas were found on a beach in Chile, with a necropsy of one female showing it was a healthy adult, with no signs of human involvement in its death.
![A juvenile orca swims away from the yacht with a large piece of fiberglass from the rudder in its mouth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gC3y6ztyx9hsG5UhqSjtNj-320-80.png)
Orcas attack boat with ruthless efficiency, tearing off rudders in just 15 minutes
By Sascha Pare published
As the crew motored inshore after the encounter, one of the orcas reappeared, chased the boat into the marina and tore off what little fiberglass was left on the two rudders.
![A pod of orcas swims in the sea with their dorsal fins and backs poking out.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZG5QQMKdy6RjgLKYC8ELSk-320-80.jpg)
Orcas rip rudder off boat and follow it all the way to port, in 1st known attack of its kind
By Sascha Pare published
Previous reported interactions between orcas and sailboats followed a clear pattern, with the animals losing interest and swimming away once they had broken the rudder.
![An orca with its dorsal fin visible above the water swims past a sailing boat.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gWBPbH68X2daYAbhnnz7Mm-320-80.jpg)
Orcas have sunk 3 boats in Europe and appear to be teaching others to do the same. But why?
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists think a traumatized orca initiated the assault on boats after a "critical moment of agony" and that the behavior is spreading among the population through social learning.
![A white orca swimming between two normally colored individuals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hThSuLd3bVV3MJ5TXQYmxb-320-80.jpg)
Extremely rare white killer whale spotted off California coast
By Harry Baker published
The mostly white orca calf was spotted by a whale-watching vessel. It most likely has a pigment-related condition called leucism, experts say.
![A pod of orcas swimming in the ocean.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cQA3K3GAMb2yRK2hMo2DuU-320-80.jpg)
Inbreeding may be causing orca population in the Pacific Northwest to crash
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Inbreeding among an endangered population of orcas off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon is a cause for concern.
![great white shark with back scars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iLEModos9kiJwaNDtdde4G-320-80.jpg)
Photo shows 'massive' great white shark scarred after rare battle with 2 serial killer orcas
By Hannah Osborne published
A pair of orcas off the coast of South Africa have been ripping open sharks and feasting on their livers for the last eight years. A great white shark that survived an attack by the serial killer brothers has now been identified through huge scars across its massive body.
![The carcass of a shark found on a beach in South Africa.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s32PKEGY43UY3AnmU6a9ie-320-80.jpg)
2 orcas slaughter 19 sharks in a single day in South Africa, eating their livers and leaving them to rot
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
An orca killing spree continues in South Africa. Their target: shark livers.
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