Iberian orca known for ramming boats seen with suspected gunshot wounds

The Guardian UK Friday 14 August 2026, 14:57 UTC By Ashifa Kassam in Madrid 1 min read

Key Points

Marine conservationist says deliberate attack would be ‘act of extreme cruelty’ against an endangered populationSpanish officials have launched an investigation after the matriarch of an orca pod known for jostling and ramming boats off the Iberian Peninsula was spotted with wounds suggesting she had been shot by a pellet gun. On Friday, Spain’s environment ministry said Toñi, the oldest living member of the pod, had been seen swimming in the Strait of Gibraltar with markings on her dorsal...

Marine conservationist says deliberate attack would be ‘act of extreme cruelty’ against an endangered population

Spanish officials have launched an investigation after the matriarch of an orca pod known for jostling and ramming boats off the Iberian Peninsula was spotted with wounds suggesting she had been shot by a pellet gun.

On Friday, Spain’s environment ministry said Toñi, the oldest living member of the pod, had been seen swimming in the Strait of Gibraltar with markings on her dorsal fin that were “consistent with shots from a pellet gun”.

Iberian (ORG) Marine (ORG) the Iberian Peninsula (LOCATION) Spain (LOCATION) Toñi (PERSON) the Strait of Gibraltar (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

Marine conservationist says deliberate attack would be ‘act of extreme cruelty’ against endangered populationSpanish officials have launched an investigation after the matriarch of an orca pod known for jostling and ramming boats off the Iberian Peninsula was spotted with wounds suggesting she had been shot by a pellet gun. On Friday, Spain’s environment ministry said Toñi, the oldest living member of the pod, had been seen swimming in the Strait of Gibraltar with markings on her dorsal fin...

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