Marine mammal news, features and articles
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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.
Suspected Russian spy whale is looking for love in all the wrong places
By Harry Baker published
A beluga whale that was discovered wearing a suspicious harness in 2019 is on the move in search of other belugas. But it's heading in the wrong direction.
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.
Humpback whales caught on film for 1st time treating themselves to a full body scrub on the seafloor
By Sascha Pare published
New footage shows, for the first time, how humpbacks scrub off dead skin and parasites to stay streamlined and keep their skin healthy.
In rare attack, 30 orcas 'badly wounded' 2 adult gray whales in California
By Elana Spivack published
A pod of about 30 orcas attacked and "badly wounded" two adult gray whales off the coast of California, according to drone footage.
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.
Humpback whales: Facts about the singers of the sea
By Patrick Pester last updated
Humpback whales are iconic members of the baleen whale family thanks to their breathtaking breaches and hauntingly beautiful songs.
Extremely rare albino dolphin spotted in Africa, possibly for the 1st time ever
By Harry Baker published
The all-white bottlenose calf, which was swimming with around 200 other dolphins, was spotted by a lucky couple on their wedding day.
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.
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.
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