Killer whales struggle as ice traps them off Japan coast

Killer whales struggle as ice traps them off Japan coastWildlife Pro

Transcript

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,

00:20 "We have no choice but to wait for the ice to break up and for them to escape that way."

00:24 This type of ice drift is an annual occurrence off the coast of Hokkaido. However, a lack of

00:29 wind in recent days means the ice hasn't moved. That's led to a veritable trap for these struggling

00:34 orcas. This is also not the first time something like this has happened in the area. Back in 2005,

00:39 a similar occurrence took place, where several orcas were trapped just like this. Again,

00:44 the coast guard was unable to help, and simply had to wait for the ice to split and move.

00:48 That didn't happen in time, and the struggling animals died. With those in the nearby whale

00:53 watching town of Rausu, hopeful this time, it won't end in tragedy.