Full Breakdown
Shotgun-Like Injuries Found on Toñi, Spain Opens Investigation
8/18/2026, 5:55:07 AM
Incident Overview
Marine conservation groups reported that Toñi—an estimated 60-year-old female orca, the oldest known member of the Iberian population—surfaced in the Strait of Gibraltar with fresh marks on her dorsal fin and back. WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians counted roughly ten pellet-like impacts, some of which appear to have penetrated the fin. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) learned of the injuries in August after being alerted by WeWhale, and the ministry’s General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification opened preliminary investigative proceedings the following day to determine the cause and identify any responsible parties.
Background: Tense Orca-Boat Interactions
Since 2020, Iberian orcas have repeatedly approached vessels in Atlantic waters off the Iberian Peninsula, prompting Spanish authorities to issue guidance aimed at protecting both sailors and the animals. The regional orca population, which inhabits the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cádiz, is classified as vulnerable under Spain’s Catalog of Endangered Species. Interactions have sparked public debate, but officials have warned against using lethal deterrents.
Official Statements & Responses
MITECO noted that Spanish law prohibits killing, capturing, pursuing, or disturbing protected species, with violations punishable by fines of up to 2 million euros and possible criminal liability. The ministry emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that no suspect has been identified. Conservation groups stressed that the wounds appeared suddenly; photographs taken weeks earlier showed no marks. WeWhale warned that the dorsal fin’s rich blood supply makes it critical for temperature regulation, and that lodged pellets could cause infection or tissue damage, potentially threatening Toñi’s health.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If someone has deliberately fired a shotgun at her, this is not only an act of extreme cruelty against an individual animal,” — Janek Andre, founder and president of WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation
- “There has been enormous public discussion about Iberian orcas and their interactions with vessels,” — Janek Andre, founder and president of WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation
The investigation remains active, with authorities preserving photographic evidence and monitoring Toñi’s condition as the case proceeds.
