# Whale wars!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-wars/785817>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 3, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-wars/785817 "2017-05-03T21:21:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-wars/785817/1 "2017-05-03T21:21:32Z")

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[Apparently](http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Humpbacks-trying-to-fight-off-killer-whale-11116315.php), the killer whales are killing the grey whales, and the humpback whales are intervening.

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**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-wars/785817/2 "2017-05-05T17:50:41Z")

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Interesting.

It’s also telling that the marine scientist quoted in the story doesn’t know why the humpbacks are doing it, but _suggests_ “instinct,” regardless of the cause. It might be intelligence, planning, or culture – but before we investigate, let’s get the word implying mindless reflex out on the table so as to influence objectivity.

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**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whale-wars/785817/3 "2017-05-05T18:15:36Z")

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> [@Sailboat](#):
>
> Interesting.
> 
> It’s also telling that the marine scientist quoted in the story doesn’t know why the humpbacks are doing it, but _suggests_ “instinct,” regardless of the cause. It might be intelligence, planning, or culture – but before we investigate, let’s get the word implying mindless reflex out on the table so as to influence objectivity.

(Shrug.) When you see hoof prints, first think horses, not zebra.