Evan Brodsky used a drone to capture footage of a pair of gray whales being attacked by a pod of at least 30 orcas off the coast of California, USA.
The rare footage shows more than 30 orcas attempting to overpower the gray whale by surrounding the prey before launching their attack. The assault lasted over 5 hours without managing to subdue the pair of adult gray whales.
While such attacks are not uncommon, orcas typically target younger, more vulnerable whales rather than mature ones, as seen in the recorded footage.
Two adult gray whales swimming in Monterey Bay.
Suddenly, the pair was attacked by a pod of at least 30 orcas.
This is not the time of year when gray whales typically come to this area, making this encounter even more unusual.
Brodsky attempted to observe the attack until one of the gray whales broke away and swam into shallower waters.
Generally, orcas hunt young whales that are accompanied by their mothers in northern feeding grounds. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, adult gray whales can reach lengths of up to 15 meters and weigh over 40 tons.
For the first time in over 30 years, an encounter between orcas and adult gray whales has occurred in Monterey Bay.
The terrifying attack lasted 5 hours before they separated.
Bigg’s killer whales typically swim in the Northwest Pacific to hunt marine mammals rather than other whale species, with their primary diet consisting of fish.
The footage of the attack provides a rare glimpse into orcas’ behavior and their hunting patterns.
The gray whales with wounds on their skin after the attack.
Typically, adult orcas and calves stay relatively close to the California coast, where it is safer and there is more abundant food.
However, upon moving to the Monterey Bay area, they swim around the bay to take advantage of and overpower immature calves in deep, open waters.
