Pod of killer whales attack humpback whale calf
A pod of three killer whales attacked a humpback whale mother and her calf off the coast of Ningaloo in Western Australia on Friday, in a phenomenon rarely seen by scientists.
Drone footage filmed by two fishermen and obtained by Reuters showed the humpback whale mother and her calf fending off a synchronized attack from the three killer whales.
"I was marlin fishing and had the first orca shoot in and roll right under the boat, showing off and playing," said Shane Stephen, one of the fishermen who witnessed the attack. "Shortly after, we saw splashing and a commotion and knew a hunt was underway. It is the first orca hunt and kill of a humpback whale this season and went on for almost 2 hours."
Stephen told Reuters that the humpback mother's calf was unfortunately "taken" and separated from the mother after two hours.
Killer whales - also known as orcas - hunt in groups and seek out prey like fish, cephalopods, whales and sea turtles in shallower waters.
