Seal Survives Orca Attack by Clinging to Boat

On a recent whale-watching trip near Seattle, a wildlife photographer named Charvet Drucker captured dramatic video and photos of a pod of killer whales, also known as orcas, hunting a harbor seal. The incident occurred about 40 miles northwest of Seattle in the Salish Sea.

Drucker's footage shows the coordinated movements and tail slaps of the orcas, suggesting they were actively hunting. The photographer spotted the seal trying to flee from the pod, and one of her shots captured the seal flying through the air above the frothing water as the orcas closed in.

As the orcas approached Drucker's 20-foot rented boat, the seal managed to climb out of the water and onto the stern, using the boat as a life raft. While regulations prohibit touching or interfering with the seal, Drucker began filming the tense encounter. The orcas attempted to rock the boat and make the seal fall off, using a "wave-washing" technique documented by scientists. After about 15 minutes, the orcas eventually swam away, and the seal remained safely on the boat.

Drucker, who has photographed dead seals in the mouths of orcas before, says she is generally supportive of the whales' hunting activities. However, in this case, she found herself rooting for the seal once it had sought refuge on her boat.