Are there killer whales in the Mediterranean Sea?

No, there are currently no killer whales, also known as orcas, permanently residing in the Mediterranean Sea. Historically, there were reports of killer whales within the Mediterranean Sea but their presence has been extremely limited and sporadic. Most of these sightings were likely transient individuals passing through the Strait of Gibraltar from the North Atlantic Ocean. There are no breeding populations or stable pods of killer whales in the Mediterranean Sea today.

The scarcity of killer whales in the Mediterranean is primarily due to the limited presence of their main prey items. Killer whales are apex predators and their diet consists primarily of marine mammals, fish, and seabirds. The Mediterranean Sea has experienced significant human-induced changes, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation, which have resulted in the depletion of many of the key prey species for killer whales. Additionally, the Strait of Gibraltar presents a physical barrier and limits their movement into the Mediterranean Sea.