Are Killer Whales Dangerous To People?

Killer whales/orca are the largest dolphins. In the wild, Orca are gentle and inquisitive towards humans. Killer whale is a very inaccurate name. However, it is still advised to be cautious when in the water with any type of dolphin...due to popular belief, wild dolphins do not like people trying to touch them or jump on their backs. They will attack when people treat them with disrespect.

Not usually.
The common name "killer whale" originated by watching the way these magnificient animals work when hunting for prey. They typically hunt in well-organised packs and they strategise.  They are also the largest of the meat-eating/hunting whales.  Unusually for whales, they will eat other whales, including dolphins, or calves of the larger whales (like Sperm whales and California Gay whales).

They are also quite capable of aggression towards each other.  Males fight for females and even females will fight for dominance in the group.

They also have big teeth, which is kind of scarey in itself.

However, documented acts of aggression towards humans by orca (the preferred name for fans of the species) is relatively rare. That said, it has happened.

There was a recent (November 2006) incident in San Diego, California, at the Sea World Park.  A Killer whale in a regularly scheduled show grabbed his trainer by the leg and held her down at the bottom of the pool for a minute -- twice in a row.

Experts speculate that whale was merely having a grumpy day.  It was back at work in performances within a week.

Not usually. I have spent the last four years reaserching on killer whales and there have been very few attacks givin by a killer whale. That beining they really don't have a problem and as long as you don't wear bright colors or try to hurt one of them then they should have no reason for attacking

Killer Whales can be dangerous to people. It could be from unintentional injuries (since they are big) to killing people - one just happened recently in Sea World Florida (news.yahoo.com

It's more about habitat and instinct - animals are dangerous especially when not treated well. That's their natural reaction - we may even hurt others because we angry.

No. They can be trained in to do certain tricks in aquarium shows, but have had instances where they attacked the trainer. They are the top predator in the ocean (even great white sharks give them a wide birth), they are highly intelligent, hunt in groups called pods and can communicate with each other like dolphins. Their habitat is not a location that people also inhabit, so we are not part of their food chain. If it was , I am sure they would eat us just like the seals and penguins they live on.

Killer whales in general are not aggressive towards humans because we are not on their food chain. That being said they are one of the most intelligent animal species if not the most intelligent period. They're even proven to hunt and successfully kill great white sharks. If humans were on their diet lets just say wild or not wild you don't stand a fighting chance. In my humble opinion a killer whale is the Apex predator.

I don't think killer whales are dangerous because they are in the dolphin family, they are just large dolphins!! If you annoy them, they will attack but usually they gentle! They work perfectly with humans because you see them in different films like free willy!!

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They usually tend not to be dangerous to people, but there have been cases where killer whales have harmed humans. A recent example is the killer whale that killed that guy in Florida.

In general you wouldn't hear such stories but just a few days ago there was one incident where the orca sneaked up behind the trainer and shook him beyond repair.. Bottom line: He's dead

Obviously if they have killed peolpe there dangerous even if they didnt mean it there still a threat to ppl

I am sure you can find plenty of images of orcas online, if you don't know that they look dangerous. Also yes they can be dangerous to people. They are intelligent carnivores, and very large. There have been occasions where they have dragged trainers underwater, broken bones, and rended muscle with their large teeth. Mostly they stay away from humans, since we are not a food source, but if they feel threatened or are angry for some reason, they are definitely dangerous. There primary food sources are seals and penguins.

Sometimes but when they get used to you it wont be dangerous

I can't believe some people on here claim they aren't dangerous. Look at those people who were killed at theme parks alone & that should give you a clue. It doesn't matter if they are captured or wild, your taking a chance with them either way & even though nobody has been killed by 1 in the wild, there have been cases where people have been charged while swimming in the ocean so, don't give me any nonsense that they aren't dangerous because you can very easily be killed in the wild as you can at a theme park.

Well I've been studying Sharks. But on the news I heard a report on a Killer-Whale killing their trainer. To me that's pretty fishy but for them their hasn't really been so much reports on a Killer-Whale attacking or harming a human. Orca or Shamoo is what some people call them still. But after that report people are calling them killers. But also after that report last week, they just ain't going to let anyone in the water with that poor creature.:(~~
 
 
 
But people go in their and stand on their faces what do you expect?

I have been studying Killer whales since 92 and witnessed they are drawn to bumpy textures....if you have bumpy textures stay away from these orcas

Noo they arentt!! If you startle or scare them they might act... Or if there confuzed or if they think there juzz playin thwey wouldnt hurt you!!

Well maybe they can

Yes, they can they can eat us thinking were a penguin.

Only when you invade there habitat

If you invade their territory or annoy them, this may lead them to rage.

Yes they are well normally when you follow them or come into there habitat

Sometimes they can be.  They are to my knowledge, vengeful creatures but that is not always the case.  Sometimes they can just be playing around with you and they don't know any better.  Also being kept in pens could trigger them to become stressed and wanting to break free.  
  I hope this helps!

You I think killer whales are dangerous to people becoz they sound only so dangerous..that if I would be there would surely be very scared so I think better stay away from WHALES AND SHARKS or better stay away from UNKNOWN WATERS!!

The killer whales can  be dangores but not all of them when you  bother them then you are a gonner

There is no way!!!!
No recorded attack in the wild!!
They attack in captivity  because there pissed off!!