Pod Of Orcas Take Down Minke Whale | SNAPPED IN THE WILD

A group of scientists and tourists, led by photographer Mikhail Korostelev, has the unique experience while on an excursion in Avacha Gulf on Kamchatka, in June 2017. The group, organized by Team Trip, an adventure ecotourism company, came across a pod of transient whales hunting down a minke whale.

There are two types of orcas in the wild. There are residents, those who live in the same place and feed off fish and there are the rare, transient orcas, like these, who migrate and can take down bigger prey, like this poor fellow.

Team Trip partnered with Far East Russia Orca Project (FEROP) an organisation comprised of scientists who study the magnificent creatures. During the sighting of the transient orcas killing the minke whale, they managed to record some rarely heard calls these carnivorous animals make after a kill.

The pod of orcas have all surrounded the minke whale from the sides and top, preventing him to reach the surface and get some air. According to Mr. Korostelev, the orcas were following the whale for quite some time, until the animal grew tired and stopped resisting. Orcas in the wild are known for being highly organized predators, using their coordinated attacks to take down prey their own size.

Videographer / director: Team Trip
Producer: Bunmi Adigun, Nick Johnson
Editor: Marcus Cooper