Marine mammal news, features and articles
Latest about Marine Mammals
![An orca opens its mouth showing its teeth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7WeRLpjvurpJTaJiXZdT3e-320-80.jpg)
Orca rams boat off Scottish coast, 2,000 miles away from original attacks
By Sascha Pare published
The behavior may be "leapfrogging" between orca populations, and it could be in response to human activities such as fishing.
![A Type D killer whale breaks the surface of the ocean with its fin and body above the surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U89RANoDhCTS7iyijPU5uV-320-80.jpg)
Mystery orcas with bulbous heads wash up dead in unexplained mass stranding
By Ethan Freedman published
The nine Type D orcas were found on a beach in Chile, with a necropsy of one female showing it was a healthy adult, with no signs of human involvement in its death.
![A juvenile orca swims away from the yacht with a large piece of fiberglass from the rudder in its mouth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gC3y6ztyx9hsG5UhqSjtNj-320-80.png)
Orcas attack boat with ruthless efficiency, tearing off rudders in just 15 minutes
By Sascha Pare published
As the crew motored inshore after the encounter, one of the orcas reappeared, chased the boat into the marina and tore off what little fiberglass was left on the two rudders.
![We see a slender whale on a beach with yellow ties around its head and tail. The ties are attacked to an excavator.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5koAEK46rsjvx2ERcEZpS3-320-80.jpg)
Ultra-rare, deep-diving whale dies on New England beach with possible case of bird flu
By Sascha Pare published
A necropsy revealed that the animal may have been infected with avian influenza, which would be "a big deal" if it is confirmed by further testing, scientists say.
![A pod of orcas swims in the sea with their dorsal fins and backs poking out.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZG5QQMKdy6RjgLKYC8ELSk-320-80.jpg)
Orcas rip rudder off boat and follow it all the way to port, in 1st known attack of its kind
By Sascha Pare published
Previous reported interactions between orcas and sailboats followed a clear pattern, with the animals losing interest and swimming away once they had broken the rudder.
![Beluga whale in harness](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TBxzSUyFqwjNwvXgxTNWjf-320-80.jpg)
Suspected Russian spy whale is looking for love in all the wrong places
By Harry Baker published
A beluga whale that was discovered wearing a suspicious harness in 2019 is on the move in search of other belugas. But it's heading in the wrong direction.
![An orca with its dorsal fin visible above the water swims past a sailing boat.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gWBPbH68X2daYAbhnnz7Mm-320-80.jpg)
Orcas have sunk 3 boats in Europe and appear to be teaching others to do the same. But why?
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists think a traumatized orca initiated the assault on boats after a "critical moment of agony" and that the behavior is spreading among the population through social learning.
![Screenshots from the underwater footage taken for research purposes show humpback whales rolling on the sandy seafloor.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o5VpvDQGDAmqgxkrAMQHZ4-320-80.png)
Humpback whales caught on film for 1st time treating themselves to a full body scrub on the seafloor
By Sascha Pare published
New footage shows, for the first time, how humpbacks scrub off dead skin and parasites to stay streamlined and keep their skin healthy.
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