On two separate occasions, scientists have observed orcas ramming heavy sunfish with such force that the bony fish burst apart. The encounters have presented researchers with a question that remains unresolved: what motivates this destructive behavior?
One hypothesis is that the orcas are dividing the fish into portions to feed their pod. Alternatively, the behavior may stem from boredom rather than an effort to distribute food. While these explanations suggest different motivations, scientists have not established which, if either, accounts for the observed attacks.
Researchers plan to observe further instances of the behavior to improve their understanding. The distinction between what has been witnessed and what remains uncertain is important: the forceful ramming has been observed twice, but its purpose is still unknown.
