![]() There is a romantic notion surrounding the orca, tied with legends and myths, which suggests it is simply part of their culture. Why are there no recorded wild attacks of people amongst killer whales considering they are more dangerous predators? If killer whales are so dangerous, why don’t they attack or eat people? For example, while shark attacks are exceptionally rare - five fatal attacks per year - they are most definitely recorded. However, the evidence shows us that there is no reason to fear these animals in the water. As with any animal encounter, you meet with a killer whale at your own risk. They aren’t programmed in their DNA not to harm us. Of course, we must be aware that these are powerful predators, and that just because there has never been an attack, that doesn’t mean a rogue killer whale could not decide to change the rules. Unlike massive animals such as elephants that kill dozens of people each year - an animal many still dream of encountering close up at wildlife sanctuaries - killer whales remain a very safe bet when it comes to wild encounters. While these are powerful and dangerous animals, they appear to pose no threat to people. To swim with killer whales is not considered a dangerous activity. In a world where killer whales inhabit the waters of every country with coastlines, from the UK to New Zealand, these are the only incidents ever documented. While attempting to steal the bag, the killer whale pulled the man down with it. The animal wasn’t trying to drown the man, but instead steal crayfish he’d speared and put in a satchel tied to his arm. Finally, a man was once dragged under water for 40 seconds by a killer whale. The most notable attack in the wild is when a man was bitten while surfing likely a case of mistaken identity similar to accidental shark attacks. Nobody was hurt after their boats were attacked. On a few occasions, orca used hunting strategies to either upturn boats or at least attempt to, in techniques used on ice flows to get to seal prey. Over the past 100 years, there have been a total of seven noteworthy incidents. There have been encounters resulting in injuries, but these are not only exceptionally rare, but most likely the case of mistaken identity. Wild killer whales have never killed a person. (If you’re interested in learning more, read our article on killer whales in captivity.) Their mindset is compromised and there have been many more recorded incidents of animals lashing out and being aggressive without deaths.īut these behaviours are unique to marine park animals. These are unnatural habitats in which the animals are exposed to great deals of stress and mental decay. There are only four recorded killer whale fatalities, all occurring in theme parks. They are perhaps the most efficient killers in the animal kingdom.īut does that mean they are dangerous to us? Do Killer Whales Eat People? Given what we know about orca, it would be dangerous not to consider them dangerous. It is believed killer whales eliminated this vicious predator to protect their young and food supplies. In fact, their hunting strategies are widely attributed to causing the extinction of the largest shark to have ever lived, the megalodon. They are considered to be the most powerful killers in the ocean, capable of taking down massive prey like whales - hence their name - and even great white sharks. But how close to the truth is this idea? Are Killer Whales Dangerous? In 2009, just a few months before the death of Brancheau, Alexis Martinez - a marine trainer - was killed by a killer whale in an attack at Spanish zoo Loro Parque.īoth incidents happened very close together, and brought about a very concerning notion: that killer whales were dangerous animals. Tilikum isn’t the only orca to have killed a person. The tragic death of Dawn Brancheau - a SeaWorld trainer in Florida - was particularly well documented, being covered extensively by the media. Tilikum was involved in the deaths of three individuals. This sad passing was marred by a controversial history for the animal. In 2017 the death of Tilikum was reported. ![]()
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