Spain Probes Pellet-Gun Wounds on Orca Toñi as 30-40 Iberian Whales Face Rising Threats
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 14
Spain Probes Pellet-Gun Wounds on Orca Toñi as 30-40 Iberian Whales Face Rising Threats
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 14
Summary
Spanish officials opened an investigation after Toñi, matriarch of an Iberian orca pod, was spotted in the Strait of Gibraltar with dorsal-fin marks consistent with pellet-gun shots.
Some pellets appear to remain lodged in her fin, a ministry source told El País, raising infection risks; Spain is also coordinating with Portugal because the wounds were detected after the pod moved from waters off Faro.
WeWhale and Iberian Orca Guardians have been tracking Toñi for signs of weakness, saying the wounds were not present a few weeks ago and warning that shooting a critically endangered animal is retaliation, not protection.
The case lands amid years of friction after Iberian orcas were linked to damage to scores of boats and at least four sinkings since 2020, though scientists say the behavior may be play or hunting practice rather than attacks.
Only 30 to 40 Iberian orcas remain, with researchers already citing food scarcity, injuries, pollution and heavy shipping traffic as pressures on the population.