Oldest Iberian orca found with suspected shotgun wounds as Spain launches investigation

Toñi surfaced in the Strait of Gibraltar with fresh wounds across her dorsal fin and back. The marks were unmistakable to the conservationists who had photographed her just weeks before—roughly ten impacts on the left side of her fin, some passing clean through, others possibly still embedded in the tissue. Spanish officials would later describe the injuries as consistent with shotgun pellets. At sixty years old, Toñi is the oldest known orca in the Iberian population, a distinction that carries weight in a region where these animals are classified as critically endangered.

The discovery came to light on August 11th when Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition received word from WeWhale, a marine conservation group operating in the area with government authorization. By the next day, Spanish authorities had opened preliminary investigative proceedings. The question at the center of the inquiry was stark: had someone deliberately fired a shotgun at one of the world's oldest orcas?

WeWhale and the Iberian Orca Guardians Foundation stopped short of absolute certainty but were direct in their assessment. The appearance, number, and distribution of the wounds pointed to a shotgun discharge. Janek Andre, founder of both organizations, noted the timing with precision: "We know Toñi. We were with her a few weeks ago and these wounds were not there." The injuries had appeared suddenly, in the interval between observations. Andre described what they were seeing as "multiple impact wounds" across the animal's dorsal fin and back.

The medical implications are serious. A dorsal fin carries a rich blood supply and plays a critical role in temperature regulation. Tissue damage, swelling, and infection are real risks. If any of the projectiles remain lodged inside, the worst-case scenario is infection that becomes life-threatening. For now, there are encouraging signs—Toñi appears to be swimming and hunting normally, and the conservation groups are maintaining close watch.

But the incident sits within a larger context of tension. Since 2020, Iberian orcas have repeatedly interacted with vessels in Atlantic waters off the peninsula, prompting Spanish authorities to issue guidance aimed at protecting both boaters and the animals themselves. Officials advise sailors not to use deterrent measures that could kill, injure, or disturb the cetaceans. Andre was explicit about what the apparent shooting represents: "Whatever someone's opinion about those interactions may be, shooting at these animals can never be an acceptable response."

The legal consequences for whoever might be responsible are substantial. Spanish law prohibits killing, capturing, pursuing, or disturbing protected species. Violations can carry penalties up to two million euros—roughly $2.3 million—along with potential criminal liability. The Ministry's General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification is leading the investigation. As of now, no suspect has been identified and no one has been charged.

Toñi, also known as "La Abuela"—the grandmother—represents something larger than herself. She is one of the last remaining members of a population that has survived decades in these waters. The wounds she carries are a question mark about what happens when human frustration with wildlife encounters turns into action. The investigation will attempt to answer it. In the meantime, the conservation groups are preserving their photographs and records, watching her closely, waiting to see whether the injuries heal or whether infection takes hold.