Human-made noise from ships, sonar, and industrial activities creates “acoustic smog” that has devastating effects:

  • Foraging Failure – Noise interferes with their echolocation (auditory masking), makingit nearly impossible to find prey. Researchers found that even quiet vessels like kayaks can reduce orca hunting time by roughly 20%
  • Stress and Fatigue To be heard over the din, orcas must shout louder and use more energy, which can lead to chronic stress and physical exhaustion.
  • Disruption of Life Activities Females with calves may entirely stop foraging in noisy areas to avoid wasting energy on unsuccessful hunts, which threatens the survival of the pod

Internet/General Scientific Knowledge/AL/Paul Clark