"Fuck them boats"

Orca stencil poster spotted in Hartford, Connecticut!

sorry if this has already been asked/answered, but do you have any thoughts on the orcas that have been attacking boats? genuinley curious whats going on there behaviourly and paychologically

So it seems this unusual behavior started when the pod’s matriarch, known to researchers as Gladis, was struck and injured by a boat propeller. The most viable theory is that Gladis then lashed out in an act of extreme frustration. Subsequently, she either taught her offspring the same behavior or—more likely—they observed her and decided to try it out for themselves. Mimicry is a huge part of how intelligent, highly social cetaceans like killer whales learn.

Since most of the attacks are perpetrated by youngsters, I’m honestly chalking it up to kids being dumb. Orcas, especially as juveniles, are very playful and very destructive, and this is all a super fun game. Far less likely, but still possible I suppose, is that they now truly see the boats as threats and are neutralizing them.

As fun as the memes about the orca uprising have been, there is no malice or vengeance at work here. To claim so is blatant anthropomorphism (but hey, people anthropomorphizing killer whales, what else is new). Hopefully, the behavior dies down soon, before another orca is hurt by a propeller or, worse, humans decide to put an end to it.

Because if there’s one animal that practices revenge, it’s the human being.

The orca uprising: whales are ramming boats – but are they inspired by revenge, grief or memory? | Whales | The Guardian

One of the things this article mentions is that the Gibraltar orcas targeting boats are thinner than we might expect and probably hungry.

We might joke about an orca uprising, it's entirely possible they are attacking boats as a form of revenge, but we ought to also be thinking about how all our actions are negatively impacting the ocean and the food sources that orcas rely on.

Another thing the article mentions is how loud we've made the ocean - imagine being an elderly orca and you remember when the sea was quiet. And now you're constantly being buffeted by sonar.

Very rare non TLT post but I couldn’t help myself. The moment calls for it 😂

Available here on Redbubble!

I finally resurrected my ancient Etsy shop for new stickers! And there’s a bonus old design in there too.

Phew, been wanting to get this design up, and was inspired to finish it this week (can't imagine why)

Look, I think it's about time we take a page out of the orcas' book...XD

You can get it on t-shirts, stickers and more!

Fight back. Sink the rich! 🌊🐋⚒️

This is the August print set over on my Patreon!

Multiple tiers are available if you want a 5x7, an 8x10, a sticker, or all of the above— sign up to get it at http://patreon.com/fugitiverabbit

Do you like your Orca messaging to be ambiguous? Well do we have a treat for you! T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Hoodies and mugs. thelifeofsharks.com

Nimona didn't die, she went and lead the orcas into anarchy and then came back

Gladis pasteups in Santiago, Chile

Ohh I thought the orcas were tearing pieces off of the boats bc it was similar to how they break pieces off of ice to get to seals or smth! That's really interesting.

-sukitails

I believe the Strait of Gibraltar orcas eat primarily tuna, but I can see the similarities! Maybe their Antarctic cousins were giving them pointers on orca TikTok. Also similarities with how transient orcas cooperate to take down large baleen whales. It’s incredible how different ecotypes hunt!

(My favorite ice hunting behavior is when they all swim together to create a wave and wash the poor seal off the ice).

SINK THE RICH! I'm proud to announce my brand new design, "Don't Agonize, Orcanize" featuring White Gladis and her yacht-smashing pod. 

Preorders are now open for hoodies, shirts, tanks, mini posters, stickers, and even special bundles until July 19! 

Shop Now

Alternative colors of t-shirts, pullover hoodies, and zip hoodies are available only during this preorder period! So if you see something you like, best to grab it now as it may not be available later.

Heroes Of The Revolution - Orca Uprising - Solidarity For White Gladis - Propaganda Image, Free To Use

Dear orcas ,

please do not kill me when you become the rulers of earth. I promise i eat rudders off of boats too, much love, thanks

looks like the dolphins have joined the orcas in the uprising.