The dramatic scene played out Tuesday afternoon for about 20 minutes in the southern Strait of Georgia, directly in the lane of a B.C. Ferries vessel heading out from Tsawwassen.
But the humpback was able to ward off the pods by rolling around and trumpeting with each surfacing, “a behaviour associated with aggression in humpback whales,” according to a naturalist aboard one of the two boats at the scene.Article content Gless said the “extreme scarring” on Valiant’s tail suggests the whale might have survived a brutal orca attack at just a few months old.
Scientists have shown in studies on both coasts of North America that orcas are also known to harass adult humpbacks — and even grab a quick chunk of meat off them. Often encrusted with sharp barnacles, the flippers are another deterrent against orca attacks, said Gless. The aggressive trumpeting, or short, sharp bursts of breathing, are also noted in the breeding ground when males vie for females.
In 2016, a team of researchers from Oregon State University found 30 cases from around the world in which humpbacks attacked orcas when they were pursuing whales and other mammals.
Keep cruise ships out of the Salish Sea.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: CBCNews - 🏆 2. / 99 Read more »
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »