Seal escapes from pod of killer whales by leaping on to photographer’s boat | Wildlife

A wildlife photographer on a whale-watching journey in waters off Seattle captured dramatic video and photographs of a pod of killer whales searching a seal that survived solely by clambering on to the strict of her boat.

Charvet Drucker was on a rented 20ft (6m) boat close to her house on an island within the Salish Sea about 40 miles north-west of Seattle when she noticed a pod of no less than eight killer whales, also referred to as orcas.

The orcas’ coordinated actions and tail slaps urged they had been searching. Drucker used the zoom lens on her digital camera to identify a harbor seal that was attempting to flee from the pod. One of her photographs confirmed the seal flying by way of the air above the scrum of orcas frothing the water, and she or he assumed she was witnessing the seal’s final moments alive.

But because the orcas bought nearer to the boat, Drucker and her group realized the pod was nonetheless chasing the seal. In line with wildlife boating rules, they’d minimize the engine to forestall any harm to the whales. The seal clambered out of the water and on to a swimming platform on the stern of the boat close to the motor – claiming it as a life raft of kinds.

Wildlife rules additionally prohibit touching or interfering with the seal, however Drucker started filming video.

“You poor thing,” Drucker may be heard saying, because the seal seems to be up at her. “You’re good, just stay, buddy.”

The orcas didn’t hand over instantly, however as a substitute appeared to staff as much as rock the boat and make the seal fall off. Drucker’s cellphone video exhibits the orcas lining up and transferring in on the boat with staggered dives to create waves. The “wave-washing” approach has been documented by scientists since no less than the Eighties, based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The seal on Drucker’s boat slid off no less than as soon as, however managed to climb again on, and the orcas swam away after about quarter-hour.

Drucker has photographed lifeless seals within the mouths of orcas earlier than, and she or he says she’s usually completely satisfied when the whales get to eat.

“I’m definitely team orca, all day, every day. But once that seal was on the boat, I kind of turned [into] team seal,” she mentioned in an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday.

The killer whales that hunt seals and a various set of marine animals within the space are generally known as Bigg’s or “transient” orcas. They are higher fed then different extra specialised species just like the salmon-focused “resident” orcas who’re on the endangered species listing, based on Noaa.