Mapping:
Source: BBC
Context: A sailing yacht sank in Moroccan waters near the Strait of Gibraltar after being rammed by orcas.
About Orcas, also known as killer whales:
They are the largest dolphins, recognized by their black-and-white colouring, reaching up to 8 meters in length and weighing up to 6 tonnes. Highly intelligent and social, they use echolocation for communication and hunting.
While powerful predators, they are not aggressive towards humans in the wild. Pods, or maternally related groups, have distinct communication patterns. Orcas are listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List and under CITES Appendix II.
About the Strait of Gibraltar:
It is a vital shipping route connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and has been the site of recent orca attacks on vessels. It acts as a natural chokepoint between Europe and Africa.
