In the past 62 years, there have been 115 documented interactions between humpback whales and orcas (also known as killer whales), according to a 2016 study published in the journal Marine Mammal Science. Reports have described humpbacks defending animals being attacked by orcas, from seals and sea lions to porpoises and other marine mammals. There was one documented incident in which humpback whales tried to save a pair of ocean sunfish that were being circled by orcas. And in May 2012, in the most dramatic event of this kind, two humpbacks spent six hours fighting off a pod of killer whales intent on eating a gray whale calf they had killed near Monterey Bay, California.
Heroes of the seas?
anon998221
Post 2 |
And don't forget that, back in '86 a pair of humpback whales saved the entire planet by time-traveling to the future in a jury-rigged Klingon Bird-of-Prey! |
anon998220
Post 1 |
Seems odd that the humpbacks would expend such effort defending/protecting an already-dead gray whale calf. |