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Veuer
  • 2/6/2024
This video was recently captured just off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan. The pod of orca whales has been trapped by drifting ice during a cold snap, stuck huddling around half a mile from shore. Veuer’s Tony Spitz has the details.

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00:00 This video was recently captured just off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan,
00:04 and this is a pod of orca whales that have been trapped by drifting ice.
00:08 Authorities were first tipped off by a fisherman who saw the creatures struggling in the ice
00:12 congested waters. However, the coast guard says they can't help the pod of whales,
00:16 telling local news they can't get out there themselves, explaining, "We have no choice
00:21 but to wait for the ice to break up and for them to escape that way." This type of ice drift is an
00:26 annual occurrence off the coast of Hokkaido. However, a lack of wind in recent days means
00:30 the ice hasn't moved. That's led to a veritable trap for these struggling orcas. This is also
00:35 not the first time something like this has happened in the area. Back in 2005, a similar
00:40 occurrence took place, where several orcas were trapped just like this. Again, the coast guard
00:44 was unable to help and simply had to wait for the ice to split and move. That didn't happen in time,
00:50 and the struggling animals died. With those in the nearby whale-watching town of Rousu hopeful this
00:55 time it won't end in tragedy.

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