Domenic Biagini, the operator of a whale watching tour company, had a thrilling experience off the coast of San Diego when he witnessed a pod of Eastern Tropical Pacific Killer Whales attacking a group of Offshore Bottlenose dolphins. The encounter took place amidst foggy conditions, which initially made it difficult to locate the orcas. However, another boat from Biagini’s company eventually found them, providing the whale watchers with a front-row seat to the intense attack.
In a video shared on Instagram on October 7th, Biagini described the event as an “unbelievable spectacle.” The footage captured the moment when one of the orcas targeted an adult dolphin. The adult dolphin managed to evade its pursuers by leaping into the air, but ultimately, the orcas prevailed. Biagini expressed his awe at witnessing such a unique and rare occurrence.
According to Biagini, Eastern Tropical Pacific Killer Whales are not commonly seen north of San Diego waters. They typically appear a few times during the late summer and fall. Biagini explained that these orcas often come to the area to hunt dolphins, as Southern California is home to a significant population of dolphins. In his personal encounters with this specific group of orcas, they have killed and consumed a dolphin on all but one occasion before returning to Mexican waters.
Bottlenose dolphins, which can reach weights between 300 and 1,400 pounds and lengths of 6 to 13 feet, were the unfortunate prey in this attack. The incident sparked various reactions on social media, with users expressing a mixture of awe and sadness. Many acknowledged the brutal reality of the circle of life in the wild, while others were initially expecting a cute dolphin video before being confronted with the harsh reality of predator-prey interactions.
Overall, the encounter between the Eastern Tropical Pacific Killer Whales and the Offshore Bottlenose dolphins provided a rare and captivating glimpse into the natural world. It serves as a reminder of the raw and unpredictable nature of wildlife.
