Warning: Graphic Content
This video shows killer whales hunting a common dolphin in the open ocean.
Viewer discretion is advised.
We hope this honest un-sanitized video won't cause people to lose their excitement about seeing these beautiful, rare animals in the wild.
Our passengers and crew experienced rarely seen killer whales (Orcinus orca) hunting a common dolphin in an encounter that was both epic and sad. Those on board for recent trips were both captivated by seeing such a rare species in the area, and were stunned as well to see the predators demonstrate the hunting prowess they’ve been named for right before their eyes.
“In nearly 30 years of operating whale watching cruises, this is my first time seeing, in person, a dolphin hunted and killed by a killer whale,” says Captain Dave Anderson, president of Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. “The brutal hunt was over in about 10 minutes, and it is so hard to imagine what that poor dolphin went through. Even though this video made me cry, I feel it’s important that people see the reality of what killer whales are. They are not bad. The mother may have been teaching the calf to hunt. But we call them killer whales for a reason. This video shows you why the largest dolphins in the world are apex predators. In one afternoon about 10 or 11 killer whales, (which are dolphins), killed at least 4 common dolphins. If they were to do that every day, that's 1,460 dolphins a year.”
These orcas are part of a population known as Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whales and are usually found in the waters off Mexico and Central America. In September of 2018, a group of these ETP killer whales made an appearance in our area, and in that instance too hunted dolphins. Although not enough is known about this understudied population of killer whales to make broad statements about their diet, they are skilled at hunting their smaller cousins.
"Seeing these 'wolves of the sea' is a magnificent and mixed blessing,” says Gisele Anderson, co-president of Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. “It's beautiful and brutal. Similar to if an endangered pack of wolves showed up in our neighborhood and began hunting our beloved dogs. It's all part of the cycle of life, but sometimes painful to see."
Orcas are members of the dolphin family. Dolphins are hugely popular and beautiful animals to see in their own right but are unfortunately part of the food chain. Sightings of these predation events will help to further the study of the animals that prey upon them.
#orca #killerwhale #wildlife
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🐳 Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari offers five-star, eco-friendly, Dana Point dolphin & whale watching experiences with award-winning customer service.
Located in Dana Point, the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®. Multiple unique and uncrowded vessels include a Catamaran Sailboat with 2 Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pods and intimate, high-speed Zodiac-style vessels.
Tel: (949) 488-2828
Web: www.dolphinsaf...
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Dolphin and whale footage is copyright David Anderson/DolphinSafari.com and may not be used without permission.
📷 Video filmed by:
Laib Greenspoon (@laibgr)
Joel Vanderveen (@katievanderveen)
Matt Stumpf (@mattastumpf)
Dave Anderson
🎵 Licensed music by C.K. Martin/Artlist
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