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'Once in a lifetime sight': Tourists watch orcas devour humpback off NSW coast

Whale watchers were treated to an incredible and rather disturbing ‘Killer Whale’ experience off the east coast of Australia.

On Friday, Out of the Blue Adventures was about 2km east of the Ballina break-walls, off the NSW coast, when whale watchers spotted three humpback whales - a mother, a calf and a male escort, the adventure company explained in an online post.

Out of the Blue adventures wrote on Facebook the three whales were “frolicking” off the coast, much to the delight of those on board the boat. However the scene turned chaotic when a pod of more than 30 orcas surrounded the three humpbacks.

People whale watching near Byron Bay got to witness an encounter  between 'Killer Whales' and Humpback whales. Source: Out of the Blue Adventures.
People whale watching near Byron Bay got to witness an encounter between 'Killer Whales' and Humpback whales. Source: Out of the Blue Adventures.

“The Orca’s tactfully separated the Humpback calf from the others and preceded to drown and devour the calf,” Out of the Blue Adventures said, recounting the violent scene. The company also shared a video which showcases the “once in a lifetime” experience.

“After this dramatic sequence of events, the pod of Killer Whales surrounded the boat for over 2 hours, which allowed our guests on both today’s 8am & 11am cruises, to truly experience this once in a lifetime encounter.”

According to Out of the Blue Adventures, which is based in the northern NSW coastal town of Byron Bay, the first sighting of migrating humpback whales are usually in May. However, the whale watching season in Byron Bay starts in June and runs through to December.

Witnesses saw a pod of orcas remove a humpback calf from its mother and devour it. Source: Out of the Blue Adventures.
Witnesses saw a pod of orcas remove a humpback calf from its mother and devour it. Source: Out of the Blue Adventures.

Despite the nickname ‘Killer Whale’, Orcas, or Orcinus orca, aren’t actually whales, orcas are actually the largest type of dolphins.

Orcas sit at the top of the food chain, according to National Geographic and they have their pick of sealife to feast on - fish penguins, seals and of course, whales from time to time.

“Orcas hunt in deadly pods, family groups of up to 40 individuals,” National Geographic says. “All pods use effective, cooperative hunting techniques that some liken to the behaviour of wolf packs.”

Orcas are known to eat pretty much whatever they want, including other whales. Source: Out of the Blue Adventures.
Orcas are known to eat pretty much whatever they want, including other whales. Source: Out of the Blue Adventures.

According to Out of the Blue Adventures, humpback calves are born around four metres in length and weigh around two tonnes, while adults average 14 to 18 metres in length and can weigh up to 50 tonnes.

Although the footage and photos shared to Facebook by the adventure group are spectacular, it was not lost on people how gruesome and upsetting the encounter was for some onlookers.

“Yes it was absolutely amazing, it was really sad to see the baby killed and a few of the little people were a bit sad but it was an amazing, once in a lifetime sight,” one person who was on the boat when the attack happened wrote on the Facebook post.

“Amazing. Nature is cruel and beautiful,” another person said.

Speaking with the ABC, skipper Dean Fuchs said witnessing the orca pod was a once in a lifetime experience for him.

“It's been one of the things I have wanted to see my whole life and to finally get to see that was pretty special,” he said.

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