Oldest Iberian Orca Injured Sparks Investigation
The world’s oldest Iberian orca, Toñi, was discovered with fresh shotgun pellet wounds on her dorsal fin and back, igniting a Spanish investigation. The injuries appeared suddenly and were absent in photos taken just weeks earlier.
Spanish officials confirmed the marks match possible pellet impacts, according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). They opened preliminary investigative proceedings on Aug. 12 to determine responsibility.
Conservation groups WeWhale and Iberian Orca Guardians say the pattern, number and distribution of the wounds point to a shotgun discharge. They noted roughly ten pellet impacts on the left side of the dorsal fin, with at least two projectiles passing completely through.
The wounds threaten Toñi’s health because the dorsal fin contains a rich blood supply that regulates body temperature, raising risks of tissue damage, swelling or infection. If pellets remain lodged, an infection could become life‑threatening, the groups warned.
Despite the injuries, Toñi appears to be swimming and hunting normally, and monitors report no immediate behavioral changes. The team will continue close observation as the investigation proceeds.
‘We were with her a few weeks ago and these wounds were not there,’ said Janek Andre, founder and president of WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation. He described the injuries as multiple impact wounds consistent with a shotgun blast.
If someone deliberately fired a shotgun at Toñi, the act constitutes extreme cruelty toward an individual animal and an attack on one of the last members of a critically endangered population, Andre added. The Iberian orca population is classified as vulnerable under Spain’s Catalog of Endangered Species.
Spanish law imposes penalties of up to 2 million euros (about $2.3 million) and potential criminal liability for harming protected species, according to MITECO. The penalty includes fines and may lead to criminal prosecution.
The Ministry’s General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification is leading the probe into the incident. The investigation will focus on determining how the firearm was discharged near the orca.
Orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar have repeatedly interacted with vessels since 2020, prompting Spanish authorities to issue guidance that discourages deterrent measures that could kill, injure or disturb the animals. The recent shooting should not be seen as an acceptable response to those encounters, conservation groups say.
‘Whatever opinions exist about orca‑boat interactions, shooting at these animals can never be justified,’ Andre said. He emphasized that no provocation justifies violence against protected wildlife.
Authorities have not announced a suspect or identified anyone responsible for the injuries. The case remains open as authorities continue gathering evidence.
Stepheny Price is a writer at Fox News covering West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime, homicide and border security. She has reported on numerous high‑profile criminal cases across the United States.
