| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
Humpback whales intervene in orca fatal attack on gray whale calf
By Candace Calloway Whiting
May 8, 2012 – 1 hour ago
Monterey- In the what is probably the first time such an event has been witnessed and recorded, humpback whales appeared to try to intervene when a pod of killer whales attacked a baby gray whale.
Spring is a dynamic time for whale watching in Monterey Bay, California – gray whales are migrating north with calves in tow, blue whales move into the area to feed, and humpback whales return from their winter migration. Transient orcas (killer whales) are also present, as this
Alisa Schulman-Janiger
Gray Whale Calf: this calf was completely exhausted, under attack by the orcas for at least 30 minutes. Its mother is holding it up. © Alisa Schulman-Janiger/Monterey Bay Whale Watch
Like this image eco-type of orca utilizes other marine mammals as a primary food source. Skilled at killing even large whales, they regularly take the calves of gray whales – hard as it is to witness, this is a normal predator/prey relationship. But what occurred on May 3rd, 2012 in full view of whale watchers was nothing short of remarkable.
more …
Fair Use: Eduacational
