'La Abuela' orca found wounded as Iberian population falls below 40
Conservationists are investigating the shooting of 'Toñi,' the oldest known Iberian orca, after she was spotted with multiple pellet wounds. The incident has sparked outrage among marine protection groups who view the attack as a serious crime against a critically endangered population.
Why it matters
It underscores the escalating conflict between humans and marine wildlife, highlighting the vulnerability of endangered species to human violence.
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, Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen said on Friday. "The oldest orca in the Strait of Gibraltar has appeared with marks compatible with pellets" fired from a shotgun this week, she wrote in a post on Bluesky, announcing the investigation. "It is a vulnerable species and any harm to them is a serious crime." The ministry said it learned of Toñi's injuries on August 11, after receiving information from marine conservation group WeWhale, which operates in the area with government authorisation.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in