Marine biologists call this a "fad" or "social play"—like skateboarders grinding a rail. The orcas seem to be targeting the rudders specifically, perhaps because they found it fun or felt a painful interaction with a boat in the past. They are not trying to eat the humans onboard.
Headlines scream of "attacks" and "revenge." But before you cancel your whale-watching trip, let’s look at the cold, hard data. The answer to the question— how many humans have orcas killed? —is one of the most astonishing stats in the animal kingdom. how many humans have orcas killed
However, the history of orcas in is tragically different. As of 2026, four human fatalities have been recorded—three of which involved a single orca named Tilikum. The Story of Tilikum Marine biologists call this a "fad" or "social