With their incredible ability to communicate – and thus teach and learn, even across great distances – could Orcas one day start attacking boats here in the Salish Sea like they’re doing in/around the Mediterranean Sea? I have to think it’s at least possible. And, mildly terrifying, like in this latest documented case. Put yourself there, on Halloween of all days! Scary!
What do you do, if it happens to you? Well, first off – if you can avoid it – do not get in the water.
I know… “Thanks, Captain (B)obvious!”
To be fair, there haven’t been any reported incidents of human fatalities at the hands(?) of Orcas, but that is not a list you want to pioneer. There are many tips on what TO do, as well as links to Orca encounter groups and related apps available through THIS website. It’s pretty wild that they’ve had to assemble this information, but that’s the reality of boating in that part of the world right now.
Obviously, the odds of this behaviour beginning here are low, but not non-existent. There is certainly reason to believe it’s at least a possibility in the years to come, which is why it’s important we all do our part to make Orcas here at home feel as safe and undisturbed in their environment as they deserve to be. Here’s one local group working hard to ensure that:
Please add any others in the comments, and here’s hoping my future theory turns out to be more ‘silly’ than ‘salient’.
bob
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