A pod of orcas (killer whales) filmed trapped in a tiny break in the ice floe off the coast of Japan have released themselves, according to reports.
At least twelve – and possibly as many as 17 – orcas were spotted by a fisherman breathing through the hole located near Rausu, in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. Some of the orcas were reported to be youngsters.
The footage was reportedly shot by drone by a marine life expert with Wildlife Pro LLC, who was doing research into the region’s sea lion population.
In a post on Facebook on 6 February, the Dolphin Project called on the Japanese Prime Minister to send an ice-breaking ship to the area to free the trapped animals, as they may be part of an endangered group.
‘On February 6, 2024, Japanese media reported that around 15-17 killers whales got trapped in the ice in the strait between the Hokkaido and Kunashir island, near city of Rausu.’ wrote the Dolphin Project, in a letter template These killer whales could possibly belong to an endangered population listed in endangered list of Russian Federation [sic]. Japanese media reports that local coast guard does not have equipment for rescue operation.
‘According to experts, the killer whales can be saved by ice strengthened vessels or a reinforced ice-class vessel that can make a passage through the ice and bring the animals to open water.
‘We urge you to investigate a possibility to mobilize such a vessel for a rescue mission as soon as possible.’
‘Orcas are mammals, so they need to take a breather on the sea-ice,’ said Tokyo University Professor Mari Kobayashi, in an interview with Japanese TV news station, NHK. ‘The drift-ice has spread out more than expected, and they haven’t been able to find a place to take a breather.’
NHK also reported that a group of orca were trapped in a similar fashion in 2005, however, that year the animals were unable to escape and later died.
By the afternoon of 7 February, Japanese time, officials reported that the trapped orcas had managed to escape – possibly through breaks in the ice – although their location is not known.
