The Dark Side of Killer Whales: Sadistic Attacks on Boats and Humans.

An article in The Atlantic referred to orcas as "sadistic jerks," prompting backlash from internet users who have recently embraced the black-and-white mammals as revolutionary symbols. The article argued that orcas are sometimes cruel to other animals in the natural world, but many defended the creatures, pointing out that they have never intentionally harmed a human in the wild. Some criticized the publication for taking an anti-whale stance at a time when their lives and habitats are in danger.