Spain’s Environment Ministry has ordered an investigation into the likely shooting of a rare Iberian orca that was filmed swimming with wounds to its dorsal fin. The orca, known as Toñi, is the oldest known Iberian orca and is considered a vulnerable species.
Conservation Efforts
The WeWhale Association and Iberian Orca Guardians have documented multiple new wounds across Toñi’s dorsal fin during their field operations. The groups are calling for protection of the orcas, which are part of the dolphin family and can measure up to 8 meters in length.
Scientists have yet to reach a consensus on the reasons for the recent boat-ramming behavior exhibited by orca pods off the coasts of Spain and Portugal. However, conservationists agree that shooting at these animals is never an acceptable response.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
