Pod of killer whales chasing a humpback whale mother and calf off the coast of Western Australia

A pod of three killer whales attacked a humpback whale mother and her calf off the coast of Ningaloo in Western Australia on Friday (July 24), in a phenomenon rarely seen by scientists.

Drone footage filmed by two fisherman and obtained by Reuters showed the humpback whale mother and her calf fending off a synchronized attack from the three killer whales.

"I was marlin fishing and had the first orca shoot in and roll right under the boat, showing off and playing," said Shane Stephen, one of the fishermen who witnessed the attack. "Shortly after, we saw splashing and a commotion and knew a hunt was underway. It is the first orca hunt and kill of a humpback whale this season and went on for almost 2 hours."

Stephen told that the humpback mother's calf was unfortunately "taken" and separated from the mother after two hours.

Killer whales - also known as orcas - hunt in groups and seek out prey like fish, cephalopods, whales and sea turtles in shallower waters.

[davidburgess]

Many other large whae species just give up when they can;t run anymore: especially Blue, Fin and Minke whales. HBs do have more weapons with their huge, 1-ton, sharp pectoral fins and no fear of using huge tail swipes used offensively (unlike the other species seem to do).

[joannicolaujene]

This Drone-recorded footage is amazing. Pure Wildlife showing us how hard Survival is out there. While watching, one might feel happy for the Whale but either sad by the lost meal for the Orcas. Great footage anyway

[jurassicking]

Humpbacks are not like the other whale species there not intimidated by Orcas