As apex predators , orcas can prey on whichever marine animal they choose — tumid or small . During a recent expedition off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula , scientist captured rare footage of orcas aggress a 40 - base - long minke whale .
Fair monition , hoi polloi — this footage is graphic and worrying . They ’re called “ slayer whales ” for a ground , and this cartridge holder is a potent monitor as to how these aquatic carnivores realise their name .
Asreportedin RT , scientists with the Far East Russia Orca Project ( FEROP ) recorded the encounter while survey an area off the Kamchatka Peninsula with Team Trip , a partnership between FEROP and the Kosatka Cruises tour company . The video shows a pod of orcas chasing a minke whale to the point of enervation ( distinctive orca search demeanour ) , and then drowning it and ripping it apart with their sinewy jaw .
“ It ’s an awing event , ” say marine biologist Tatiana Ivkovich , a researcher from St. Petersburg State University , in an interview with RT . “ Over the path of all our workplace , we have once get wind orcas finish eat a giant . And here we are , view the hunt itself . Orcas ate a minke whale , it ’s not a braggart one , up to 12 meters in length . ”
ab initio , seven adult orcas participate in the hunting , with four joining later . babe orcas were also involve in the mass murder , said Ivkovich . Orcas are seldom seen in Kamchatka ’s Avachinsky Bay , so the researchers are last to stick to around for a couple more workweek in hope of making further notice .
When it come to finding a repast , orcas do n’t single out . In addition to hunting hulk , these mammals are also known tofeast on sharksandthe leftover seal .
[ RT ]
CetaceansPredationSciencewhales
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