‘An Attack on the Grandmother’: Investigation Launched as One of World’s Oldest Orcas Found with Possible Shotgun Wounds

Toñi, one of the world’s oldest known killer whales and the matriarch of the critically endangered Iberian orca population, has been found with fresh, mysterious wounds that conservationists believe are consistent with shotgun pellets—sparking an urgent investigation by Spanish authorities. The 60-year-old orca, affectionately known as “La Abuela” (the grandmother), was spotted in the Strait of Gibraltar with multiple marks across her dorsal fin and back that were not visible in photographs taken just weeks earlier. WeWhale, the marine conservation group that first reported the injuries, counted approximately 10 apparent pellet impacts on the left side of her dorsal fin, with at least two or three projectiles appearing to have passed straight through the fin while others may still be lodged inside. Janek Andre, founder of WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation, expressed outrage at the discovery, stating, “If someone has deliberately fired a shotgun at her, this is not only an act of extreme cruelty against an individual animal. It is an attack on one of the last remaining members of a critically endangered population.”

Spanish authorities have opened preliminary investigative proceedings to determine what happened and potentially identify those responsible. The stakes for anyone found responsible are severe: Spanish law prohibits killing, capturing, pursuing or disturbing protected species, and violations can carry penalties of up to €2 million (approximately $2.3 million), along with potential criminal liability. The investigation comes amid years of documented interactions between Iberian orcas and boats off the Iberian Peninsula, with officials advising sailors against using deterrent measures that could harm the animals. Conservationists emphasize that shooting at these animals is never an acceptable response to vessel interactions, regardless of public opinion. WeWhale confirmed that Toñi currently appears to be swimming and hunting normally, but the injuries are concerning—the dorsal fin has a rich blood supply and helps regulate body temperature, meaning the wounds could lead to infection or other complications. The group will continue monitoring her closely while authorities investigate, preserving original photographs and observational records as the search for answers continues.

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