Recent research suggests that orcas in the Iberian Peninsula may be using yachts as practice targets rather than simply attacking for revenge or play. This theory proposes that young orcas are practising their hunting techniques on sailboats, particularly targeting the rudders. Since 2020, there have been numerous reports of orcas ramming and damaging boats, and scientists now believe this behaviour might help them refine their skills for hunting Atlantic bluefin tuna. Study Insights According to Dr Bruno Díaz López, director of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), the observation of these interactions has provided valuable data. The team used citizen science reports to create computer models of the orcas’ movements, revealing that these predators and their prey share similar environmental drivers. This correlation indicates that tracking tuna could help predict orca locations. The researchers‘ findings, published on June 18 in Ocean and Coastal Management journal, suggest that orcas’ interactions with boats are part of their learning process. By practising on rudders, orcas may be mimicking the techniques used to isolate and catch tuna, which are …