Investigation Launched After Elderly Orca Found With Possible Gunshot Wounds

Authorities in Spain have opened a preliminary investiga…

Authorities in Spain have opened a preliminary investigation into the mysterious wounds discovered on one of the world's oldest orcas, raising concerns that someone may have shot at the animal amid ongoing tensions between killer whales and boaters in the region.

The orca, named Toñi, was observed earlier this week in the Strait of Gibraltar with multiple fresh markings on her dorsal fin and back. Spanish environmental officials said the injuries are consistent with possible shotgun pellet impacts. The wounds were not present in photographs taken just weeks earlier, according to conservation groups monitoring the animal.

Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) stated that it received reports of Toñi's injuries on August 11 from WeWhale, a marine conservation group operating under government authorization in the area. The following day, officials initiated preliminary proceedings to determine the cause and potentially identify those responsible.

Conservation organizations WeWhale and Iberian Orca Guar…

Conservation organizations WeWhale and Iberian Orca Guardians assert that the pattern, number, and distribution of the wounds strongly suggest a shotgun discharge. They report approximately ten apparent pellet impacts on the left side of her dorsal fin, with at least two projectiles passing through entirely, while others may remain lodged within the tissue.

At an estimated 60 years of age, Toñi, also known as "La Abuela" or "the grandmother," faces potential health risks from these injuries. The fin's rich blood supply and role in temperature regulation mean the wounds could lead to tissue damage, swelling, or infection. In a worst-case scenario, an infection could become life-threatening, though WeWhale notes that Toñi currently appears to be swimming and feeding normally.

Janek Andre, founder and president of WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation, expressed alarm at the discovery. "We know Toñi. We were with her a few weeks ago and these wounds were not there," he said. Andre condemned any potential attack, emphasizing that Toñi belongs to a critically endangered population. "If someone has deliberately fired a shotgun at her, this is not only an act of extreme cruelty against an individual animal," he added. "It is an attack on one of the last remaining members of a critically endangered population."

The Iberian orca population, which inhabits the Strait

The Iberian orca population, which inhabits the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cádiz, is classified as vulnerable under Spain's Catalog of Endangered Species. Spanish law prohibits killing, capturing, pursuing, or disturbing protected species, with penalties up to 2 million euros (approximately $2.3 million) and potential criminal liability, according to MITECO.

The investigation coincides with years of documented interactions between Iberian orcas and vessels in Atlantic waters since 2020. Spanish authorities have issued guidance to protect both boaters and the animals, advising against deterrent measures that could harm the cetaceans. Conservation groups stress that shooting at these animals is never an acceptable response to such encounters, regardless of public opinion on their behavior.

WeWhale and Iberian Orca Guardians have preserved their photographic evidence and observational records, and they will continue to monitor Toñi's condition as the government's investigation proceeds. No suspects have been announced, and the identity of those responsible, if any, remains unknown.