A gray whale calf tries to climb onto its mother's back during an attack by killer whales in Monterey Bay. Crossing the undersea canyon is the most dangerous part of the gray whales' migration. Photo by Sarah Graham
Bush's fault. PETA alert
A gray whale calf tries to climb onto its mother's back during an attack by killer whales in Monterey Bay. Crossing the undersea canyon is the most dangerous part of the gray whales' migration. Photo by Sarah Graham
Where is PETA when you need them? </sarcasm>
Huh, I wonder how baby grey whale steaks would cook up on my Weber (charcoal of course). I'm guessing a little like manatee.
I'm surprised the environuts aren't calling for a "program"
One of those libs should've jumped in the water to lure the whales from the calf and take the bite out of the crime....
FEED WILLY!
This reminds me of a story a few years ago about a seal or walrus that was rescued from an oil slick or other similar disaster and nursed back to health in captivity over a period of weeks or months. The animal was brought back out to sea amid a lot of fanfare from environmental activists, media, etc. -- and was promptly eaten by a shark or killer whale about 30 seconds after it was turned loose in the water.
Save the whales! Oh, wait...
I guess that's why they call 'em "killer whales".
Nature is not a Sierra Club cocktail party.
How necessary.
"the clash had a happy ending: The 40-ton mother gray whale, rolling like a log to shed attackers and lifting the calf on her back above the attack, led her battered and bleeding baby to shallow coastal waters -- where the orcas do not venture."
That must have been fascinating to see.
I've always been convinced that this is why the staff at Seaworld feeds the killer whales constantly, especially when they are performing with humans-it just seems to make sense to me that hungry predators who eat elephant seals might be dangerous to humans in the water with them. As a matter of fact, I remember hearing over the years of some marine park staffers being badly mauled by them.
You know, stuff like this happens, and I really have to wonder what the big deal over veal is...
ping
What a nice mother's day for the grey whale. I know the killers have to eat, but I'm glad the little calf survived. Hope he did anyway.
Wow.... that would be intense.
I never know quite who to root for in life or death nature battles, the lion with the cubs, or the gazelle... the ruthlessness of nature is sometimes hard for me to bear!