Spain investigates likely shooting of endangered 'grandmother' orca
Conservation groups say the wounds on the oldest known Iberian orca match shotgun pellets, and Spain has opened preliminary proceedings.
- Spain's Environment Ministry ordered an investigation Friday into the likely shooting of Toñi, the oldest known Iberian orca, after the animal was filmed with injuries compatible with shotgun pellets in the Strait of Gibraltar.
- With fewer than 40 animals remaining in the Iberian orca subpopulation, any injury to a matriarch like Toñi poses a significant threat to the group's stability and survival.
- Field teams from the WeWhale Association and Iberian Orca Guardians documented multiple new wounds across Toñi's dorsal fin during their operations, providing visual evidence of the injuries.
- Deputy Prime Minister Sara Aagesen condemned the incident Friday, stating that harming this vulnerable species constitutes "a serious crime" and confirming the government formally initiated an inquiry.
- Janek Andre of the WeWhale Association warned that shooting orcas is never an acceptable response to recent boat-ramming behavior, emphasizing these animals need "protection, not retaliation.
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An orca found injured by gunshots at the fin
An organization fighting for the protection and conservation of orcas in southern Europe discovered that the oldest individual surrounding the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar was violently attacked
Oldest known Iberian orca found with possible shotgun wounds, sparking Spain investigation
Oldest known Iberian orca found with possible shotgun wounds, sparking Spain investigation Click this link for the original source of this article. Author: New York Post This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://www.offthepress.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the...
The oldest Iberian killer “Grandma” could be crippled by humans - what injuries the animal wereIn the Strait of Gibraltar, a 60-year-old killer whale Tonya was found with injuries that looked like shrapnel marks. The Spanish government has begun investigation, the condition of the animal is not critical.
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