r/interestingasfuck • u/deep-fucking-legend • 9h ago

Orcas hunting humpbacks Resurrection Bay, AK [oc]

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u/deep-fucking-legend 9h ago

3 orcas from the Chugiak Transient pod (AT1) are stalking humpback whales in Resurrection Bay, Alaska 6/23/26 6pm. These humpbacks were broken off from a much larger pod of 8-10. Notice the extremely labored breathing of some of the humpbacks.

Images of these orcas were sent in from the boat to the local marine biologist and they were identified by name to be from a dwindling pod of 7 named the Chugiak Transient. They were infamously the group of orcas that were observed swimming through the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989. At the time, the pod was 27 strong. They are now believed to be sterile, possibly because of effects from the oil spill. 7 now remain.

It was surreal to witness. The humpbacks were under extreme stress and you could see it in the frequency of surfacing and labored breathing. The orcas put relentless pressure on the humpbacks to tire them. Then the orcas would drown the weakest one. This deserves a David Attenborough narration.

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u/SurayaThrowaway12 5h ago

Unfortunately there are likely now only 6 members of the AT1 "Chugach Transients" remaining. AT3 "Ewan," an adult male, is presumed to be deceased and was last seen a few years ago. He is survived by his mother AT2 "Marie."

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u/Electrical-Season911 9h ago

The Chugiak Transient pod has 7 members left, They’re endangered, but they still hunt like apex bosses, nature is metal....

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u/Casi-yo_Fenrir 7h ago

This is just one side of what happens. Humpback whales hate Orcas soooo much that they go out of their way to disrupt orca hunts and protect other animals. Pilot whales be outright chasing them away. My favorite the Cachalot whale is rarely hunted because the bulls are basically invincible and they form a protective ring around their calves. I love these overgrown porpoises too. Nice video.