Outfoxing the squirrels

In our - mostly laudable - doting on animals, we seldom stop to wonder whether labradors truly appreciate being made to wear bandannas or whether poodle-crosses object to all being called either Ruby or Bella

- JANE CLIFTON

But there are times when the wider animal kingdom gives us an existential wake-up call.

A Cambodian crocodile farmer was recently eaten by his stock, and Portuguese orcas have begun organising themselves to attack fishing boats.

Revenge of the subjugated classes is the stuff of history, but so far only in science fiction have animals fought back.

In the case of the crocs, it's fair to assume it was nothing personal, and the farmer was simply careless around apex predators who regard any creature within chomping reach as tucker.

But zoologists say we're not anthropomorphising the orcas' behaviour. They're intelligent mammals who wouldn't submit to a bandanna, and also have sophisticated social behaviour and communication skills. There was evidence a senior female had been injured and she appeared to be training her pod to aggress the boats. Whether to deter or actually harm the fleet, it would be unwise to speculate, though an R-rated Free Willy's Revenge sequel seems inevitable.