According to SIC Notícias, this year there have been nearly 60 encounters with orcas in Portuguese waters. Although only a small portion have resulted in shipwrecks, the number of recorded incidents is growing. Last week alone, six incidents were reported off the coast of Costa da Caparica, Cascais, Algarve, and Peniche.

SIC Notícias reports that the first episodes of contact with rudders were recorded in 2020, initially attributed to the curiosity of some juveniles. Mariana Sequeira, from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, explained to the same source that this behaviour eventually spread within the group. What began with three young orcas is now being replicated by about half of the local population, made up of 40 animals.

The publication adds that biologists describe the rudder as a kind of toy for these animals. The fact that it is a moving part of the vessel and produces noise attracts the attention of the orcas, who view the interaction as a game. Élio Vicente, a biologist, also emphasises that humans are navigating in these animals' natural habitat, so the behaviour must be understood within that context.

Rui Rosa, also a biologist, considers it "unlikely" that the orcas are acting aggressively. The researcher notes that orcas "can weigh up to 11 tons," so any display of aggression would have larger-scale consequences.