An unprecedented and once-in-a-lifetime event occurred off the coast of Western Australia. A huge pod of more than 60 orcas systematically hunted down and murdered a 59-foot-long juvenile pygmy blue whale. Thanks to Naturaliste Charters for getting this video of the encounter. It features powerful images of the intricate social hierarchies and extensive hunting strategies of orca pods, reminding viewers of their intelligence and collaborative nature.
The incident occurred in Bremer Canyon, home to a unique, extraordinary orca gang with incredible hunting abilities. Sometimes referred to as killer whales, orcas represent the most studied of the five subspecies of blue whale identified so far. These magnificent, charismatic predators often grow up to 32 feet (10 meters) long. These giants can take down prey, including large hoofed herbivores, far larger than themselves with impressive efficiency.
Representatives from Naturaliste Charters said that the life-threatening ordeal was over in less than 40 minutes. Meanwhile, throughout the entire experience, the orcas coordinated smoothly as a team to bring their prey down. “We witnessed an incredible and rare event yesterday as multiple pods of orcas successfully hunted a blue whale in Bremer Canyon,” stated a representative from the tour company.
Jennah Tucker, a marine biologist and the owner-operator of Naturaliste Charters, an ecotourism business, estimates that at least 60 orcas took part in the hunt. That’s probably an undercount, she said, since the real number may have been higher. “We estimated about 60 orca involved, likely more than that,” she said. The sight of 20 to 30 orcas crowding around the pygmy blue whale while attempting to subdue it underscores their well-coordinated hunting strategies.
Orcas have complex ways of communicating and they coordinate with each other like clockwork. They employ these talents to pursue prey that can be many times larger than themselves. Even this attack on the pygmy blue whale would be one in a million rarity. Interactions with blue whale species are incredibly rare.
“We’ve confirmed five different family groups were involved. Quite often, many will move in once it’s over. But in this case, we saw 20 to 30 animals at a time crowding around the whale to take it down.” – Jennah Tucker
Additionally, the juvenile orcas’ participation during the hunt events is of special interest. Tucker mentioned, “They are involved from a young age — this calf has no teeth but stuck by mum’s side,” indicating that even young orcas play a role in these significant feeding frenzies.
This aggression underscores our ignorance about the complicated social structures of orca pods. It’s a testament, not to their elegance, but to their remarkable prowess for collaborative prey-draining. It further highlights the risky condition of pygmy blue whales, which are listed as endangered. The heart-wrenching truth of the marine food web brings bittersweet context to the story of these highly sapient animals.
