Killer Whales Prey On Gray Whale Calf, Humpbacks Interfere; Monterey Bay CA

Описание: At least 16 humpback whales harassed 11 killer whales after the killer whales killed a gray whale calf in Monterey Bay, CA. Although the calf died within a few minutes after we arrived, humpbacks continued to harass the killer whales for over 6 hours: could they have been trying to protect the dead calf? NEW RECORD: This is the longest known interaction between feeding killer whales and mobbing humpbacks. The tightly grouped humpbacks made loud trumpeting sounds, rolled and slashed their pectoral flippers and flukes, and closely approached (and even chased) the killer whales. The humpbacks were still interacting with the killer whales when we left them near sunset.

Filmed by killer whale researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger (California Killer Whale Project) from the Point Sur Clipper (Monterey Bay Whale Watch) on 3 May 2012. With Captain Nancy Black (killer whale researcher) and deckhand/videographer Mike Merlo.

Link: Please see Candace Calloway Whiting's September 2015 Huffington Post story "Humpback Whales Intervene in Killer Whale Attacks on a Baby Gray Whale, and Save Seals", for photos and more details about humpback whales interfering with killer whales - both in this encounter and in a killer whale attack on a seal in Antarctica (documented by NOAA scientists Bob Pitman and John Durban). Neuroscientist Dr. Lori Marino shares her opinions about these encounters; she is a renowned expert in the cognitive ability of whales and dolphins.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/candace...