A New Study Suggests Orcas Are Actually Three Different Species
We’ve long assumed Orcas were a single species, but new research says otherwise.
I’m a millennial, which means at five years old, I was the prime audience for the blockbuster hit Free Willy when it came out in 1993. The movie is about the relationship between a boy and an orca in captivity named Willy, and as the title implies, the boy frees Willy. The film and theme parks like Seaworld brought much attention to the treatment of marine animals in captivity, especially orcas.
While the public’s attention has waned over the years, orcas are back in the news. This time for attacking and sinking boats. Not just a few times, but as of March 16, 2024, orcas have interacted with boats at least 700 times since 2020. Now, orcas are making headlines for a different reason. A new study adds the most compelling evidence yet that what we think of as orcas are actually multiple, distinct orca species.
Orcas, aka Killer Whales
Orcas (Orcinus orca) are among the most recognizable marine animals due to their striking black-and-white appearance and fearsome reputation as “killer whales.”
According to The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the killer…
