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Subscribe to RSSIt's believed that shifting winds may have broken up the ice that confined the killer whales, who survived by taking turns coming up for air in a hole the size of a pickup truck. NBC's Anne Thompson reports.
Eleven killer whales that were “locked in” by ice in a Canadian bay, with only a small area of open water for them to surface, are now apparently free, possibly due to a change in current that helped break open a path to the sea, the mayor of a nearby village said Thursday.
Two scouts sent to check on the killer whales around 8 a.m. local time found a passage of water had been created in Hudson Bay all of the way to the open sea – nearly 25 miles away -- and the ice hole that the marine mammals had been trapped in was empty, said Petah Inukpuk, mayor of Inukjuak, a remote Inuit village home to 1,800, in Quebec.
“They are free. They are no longer here. When there is a new moon, the water current is activated. It could have helped … completely trap them, but in this case it caused an open passage out to the open water,” he told NBC News, adding that they probably were freed overnight. “It was mother nature that helped them. ... They are no longer icelocked.”
A hunter had found the killer whales, also known as orcas, on Tuesday morning in the bay in northeastern Canada about one mile from shore. Two of the orcas appeared to be adults; the remaining nine were smaller in size, said Inukpuk, 61. Other reports said there were 12 orcas in the pod.
Canada's fisheries and oceans department said it received confirmation from the community "that winds and tides shifted overnight, opening the ice that had trapped the whales." Two of its scientists were en route to Inukjuak to collect scientific information and work with the community.
A video taken by villager Clement Rousseau on Tuesday revealed a tough situation facing the killer whales: the water opening appeared to be just large enough for a few of them to surface at a time.
“They are in a confined area,” Inukpuk told NBC News on Wednesday, noting then that there was “no more open water.”
“From time to time, they are in a panic state and other times they are gone for a long period of time, probably looking for another open water (space) which they are unable to find," Inukpuk said. "They keep going back to the same spot.”
The villagers held a meeting Wednesday night and crafted a plan similar to a rescue performed in 1988 of two California gray whales that got stuck in ice in Alaska. In Operation Breakthrough, which made international headlines and inspired the 2012 film "Big Miracle," Eskimo whalers cut more than a half mile of holes for the whales to travel through on their way to open sea. Two Soviet icebreakers helped by crushing a critical thick wall of ice that blocked their path and freed the animals after 20 days, according to a story on the rescue by the Los Angeles Times.
Twenty of the Inukjuak villagers were tasked with doing much the same: they were going to remove the broken ice around the area and use chainsaws to enlargen the hole, which was getting increasingly smaller. A neighboring Inuit village had also offered a large chainsaw capable of cutting the ice. The villagers even got offers of help from far afield, including Germany and England.
"We were prepared to endure it, make their breathing hole bigger and create another breathing hole nearby. Enlarge it, going step by step," he said. "We were prepared to do that method because the closest icebreaker was ten days away … without assistance they would not have made it."
Clement Rousseau
Killer whales that were trapped in the ice near Inukjuak, photographed on Jan. 8, 2013.
A Canadian fisheries official told CBC.ca that some icebreakers were being used in the Saint Lawrence River, where three commercial ships got stuck this week.
Geoff Carroll, a wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game who helped release the two California gray whales, said Operation Breakthrough showed the power of the simpler methods.
“Our experience up here was that it seemed like the local knowledge and the low-tech approaches to working with the whales were the ones that worked best,” Carroll said. “It seemed like there were lots of high-tech efforts made to get those whales out and they kind of failed one after the other. What really worked was when we got local guys with chainsaws cutting one hole after another and we could kind of walk the whales out that way.”
There have been reports of other whales getting caught in ice, but it was an anomaly for killer whales -- technically in the oceanic dolphin family -- which tend to hunt around the ice, said Deborah Giles, a graduate student researcher at the University of California, Davis, who has studied killer whales for eight years.
Giles recalled that one pod of orcas died in 2005 when they were trapped in thick ice, and Paul Wade, a research fisheries biologist at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle, noted there have been some other similar cases, too.
Wade said he watched videos of the pod near Inukjuak online and thought some were engaging in normal behavior -- such as "spyhopping," when adult males shoot straight up out of the water -- while others appeared agitated. He said it looked like the pod included two adult males, several juveniles and female adults or younger adult males. The group was most likely related, said Giles.
Photoblog: Images of whales that were stuck in ice
Killer whales are highly social and typically travel in pods numbering from two to 15, though there can be larger groups, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They are most numerous in colder waters, such as Antarctica, Alaska and Norway, although they can also be found in temperate and tropical waters. Different groupings have distinctive whistles and pulsed calls that are thought to be used by them to communicate.
Inukpuk said killer whales were not spotted in the area every summer, but every second or third one. However, this was the first time that they were "locked in,” he said.
“Why these whales hung around so long is a mystery,” Wade said. But he added: “Even the types of whales that live in the ice a lot or much closer to the ice more frequently than killer whales -- they make mistakes as well.”
The winter was unusual this year in that the bay did not freeze up as it normally does at the end of November or beginning of December. There was open water after Christmas but earlier this week it got "really cold," leaving just an area of water the size of a swimming pool open that was getting smaller, Inukpuk said.
"People here were very much ready to help and it is surprising because the killer whales are (our) competitors for the same species," such as seals, he said. "We were ready to give aid to make sure that they survived until help could come."
He said they were "very pleased" with the outcome and he had a wish for the pod, too: "I hope they find a good meal and they have a hearty feast because they are probably pretty hungry."
Eleven killer whales were trapped for days under thick arctic ice in a remote corner of Quebec, taking turns to breathe through a tiny hole.
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Take one large helicopter .... attach wrecking ball to winch ... drop wrecking ball on ice until ice cracks .. move on towards open water and repeat.
After reading all the comments, most of you come off as stupid. How do you take an article about Orcas and pervert it so much is astonishing to me. Get over yourself, stop trying to be funny (cocktail sauce really?) and focus on the article.
Amy,
And yet you just called other posters "Stupid". LOL!
^ Says the person who puts an acronym for a laugh at the end of every comment.
Also says the person who denies global warming exists and believe the scientists in NASA are a bunch of liberal "hippies" who would do anything to keep their jobs.
God,
" the scientists in NASA are a bunch of liberal "hippies""
Ah, now you are starting to understand. Glad I could help straighten you out. I may "un-liberalize" you yet. You're welcome.
Your such a useless troll. I was quoting you and now you act as if your the one quoting me. As if anyone couldn't just read the comments? Is that really the best you could come up with? That rotting hunk of flesh in your skull that might have at one point been your brain has to try to distort my words as a desperate attempt to try and satisfy your lost cause?
And for the fourth time, I'm an independent. Although, I'm not sure you are smart enough to understand the concept given your attitude of labeling everyone who doesn't have your views as a liberal and stupid. The reality is you are the stupid one Bobster, because you don't even understand anything about what NASA is, science, or even the meaning of independent.
What, are you gonna try and misquote me again like the brainwashed and brain-dead radical puppet you are?
As an INDEPENDENT, I believe obsessive political party bias (on both sides of the political aisle) like yours tearing this country apart. It's radical people like you, who apparently can't think for themselves and instead cling on to their over-zealous party principles as if it were a religion despite all logic and evidence against, and deny anything inconvenient to their views, who are most guilty of this. And after the things you said, you really shouldn't be calling anyone else stupid as that makes you a hypocrite. Not that it would be anything new for you...
God,
Nice rant! LOL!
WPalmer: Amen.
They should get the national guard involved and send a bomber far enough away for them to swim to a new and continue to a new hole and so on until they reach a open area. They should be able to make is small enough to only effect the surface. or drill holes and dynamite, small as well, enough to crack the clear. the explosions would need close enough from the pod for them to swim to but far enough for the percussion to be lessoned. Extreme but why not try if they cant get ice breakers there. Then send calls out to them to follow afterwards.
Significant changes in climate have continually occurred throughout geologic time. For instance, the Medieval Warm Period, from around 1000 to1200 AD (when the Vikings farmed on Greenland) was followed by a period known as the Little Ice Age. Since the end of the 17th Century the "average global temperature" has been rising at the low steady rate mentioned above; although from 1940 – 1970 temperatures actually dropped, leading to a Global Cooling scare.
Chinees would have loved it this one Happy Fins...
This has nothing to do with Mother Nature. Orcas have to swim farther north in search of food. We have fished out the waters for the seals, polar bears, and other whales to live on. It's cause and effect with a chain reaction. The US is the closest country with the largest ice breakers. If Canada does not invite the US to allow them in their waters, they will surely die. It needs to be a team effort for these 2 countries and no more time can be wasted. Please pray for these majestic creatures...
These aren't grey whales. MUCH SMALLER. Why not open up the hole, scoop em out and drive em to open water? If the orcas would allow it of course...
This reminds me of the movie, "Big Miracle", based on a TRUE story how 3 whales got trapped in the Arctic Circle, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. team up to rescue them. Great movie! Maybe these whales can be rescued the same way...
(David N.'s wife here.) @lostinthepinebarrens #37.1 -- I am not an American but our Government bureaucracy is the same. ☺
Have you ever heard of the story "The Horses of McBride"? Long story short; it was a case in Alberta, Canada where two horses were trapped after an avalanche and due to the efforts of a young girl, her father and the community they rescued the animals by digging a trench a little over a mile long themselves and walked them out over a stretch of 15.5 miles whereas the 'Government experts' who were sent in to evaluate the situation, opted to put the horses down declaring there was no way to rescue them. Need I say more!!!!!
Hi David N's wife, I have not heard of that story or if I had I have forgotten it, But it doesn't suprise me, After the end of WWI and before WWII our government shot thousands of Cavalry horses and burried them because they determined that the horses were no longer needed and it was cheaper to kill them that to keep them. There was a movie based on this where a few soldiers stole the horses before they were destroyed and drove them to Canada and the US Army pursued them because they had stolen US Government property, The movie is based on a true story.
(David N.'s wife here.) @lostinthepinebarrens #68.1: Know the story you make reference too. The movie is called 'In Pursuit of Honour'. As for the Horses of McBride, it too is a true story. The movie called "Heartland Christmas' is actually a spin-off of the latter.
Thanks, I will look for that movie!
In defense of Government, They do have to try to be somewhat careful of the way the spend money, If the government were to do what the people in your incident did it would certainly have cost a lot of money, The same for the horses in the incident I referenced.
On a brighter note the orcas have been freed, The wind shifted and drove the ice flow allowing them to escape to open water
(David N.'s wife here.) @lostinthepinebarrens #68.3: Re the name of the movie, you are welcome.
Regarding the Orcas thankfully, mother nature in her own way looked after them, however our News coverage was reporting the community was willing to take matters into their own hands and were requesting only the assistance of equipment as were planning of sawing through the ice to make a path for them. IMHO, in this case 'they' were the experts and as 'we the people are the Government' cost of flying a team in to evaluate the situation would not only have been more waste of taxpayer $$$$ but also of precious time as we are all aware of how 'Government Red-Tape' works. FTR, I actually live in Canada's Capital City and see it every day and it can be very frightening. ☺
Enjoyed our exchanges. Have a great day!
Very interesting how young people are indoctrinated to hate "rednecks" and look upon them as unintelligent. So much irony comes from that way of thinking.
If their enemy includes everyone from corporations all the way down to the farmer... who else will provide food for the masses? The Government?
Getting back on subject, poor whales. I hope they do survive, even if they are at fault for their situation. No creature deserves to suffer.
I'm really revolted by some of these insensitive comments regarding this whale pod. Whale pods are family groups that stay together for life. Parents, offspring, aunt's, uncles, cousins. Whales are extremely intelligent. They know they are in trouble. You can tell by their frantic behavior that they are in a panic. Would you want die a horrible suffocating death along with your entire immediate family? As much damage as we humans do to this planet we should certainly find it in ourselves to drop everything to help such beautiful creatures in such desperate need. Where the hell is Sea World anyway? They exploit these animals supposedly as "ambassadors" so they should set aside some of their profits for emergency rescues when needed. I'm thinking someone just needs to airlift up a team with jackhammers and a few skids of meat and fish to keep this hole open and the whales fed until an ice breaker can get there. Is that too complicated a plan? Sheesh this whole thing is making me so sick I can't even concentrate on my work.
I agree!! well said.
I hope by the media publisizing this article the Canadian Government and or millitary will make an effort to network and support the people of Inukjuak and the Scientists sent to assess the situation. Although this may seem like a small blip in a world where so many bad things happen every day, it is ok to "try" and make an effort especially when it comes to our prescious dwindling wildlife. I hope the people of Inukjuak will come together themselves and make an effort for this pod of Orcas, they are the closest help available. All political opinions aside, drowning is a horrible death for any living creature.
OK so whoever is concerned can call the Canadian Dept of Fisheries and Oceans to demand some action. I just got through on this number 613-993-0999 and the person was courteous and said they were starting to receive calls on this matter. All he can do is pass the complaints along but if there is enough public pressure it may sway the Canadian authorities to move faster before it is too late.
One of the fastest way to get those mamales out to open water would be to blast holes . The use of ice augers to open the hole around the mamales so they are not under stress first. Start stetting charges at about every 200 feet apart and work back up to were the mamales are trapped in the ice . The use of ice augers to drill the holes to set the charges should clear a path for the mamales to find their way back to open water. ASAP
Yep, waste more time sending a group of scientists to the area, they're just Orca's so who really cares?
Daaaaaa ...... does it take a committee to figure out you need to OPEN THE ICE ? Mankind is becoming more foolish with each generation.
The best thing to do is get a bunch of people together and start cutting holes in the ice. They have that type of tool and a chain saw would work, and help them have a bigger breathing hole or make more. It does not take any thought on it. If the ice pack started to freeze cut them a hole, or many holes and work there way back to the sea. dont wait for a ship to come, start working them to where the ship will be.
These are photoshopped pictures. It's a big lie! There's no ice in Hudson Bay! It's far from the North Pole. Icebreakers are becoming obsolete. THEY want you to believe there's too much ice!!!
Isnt the real question??.....What are we going to do to save the 11 orcas that are trapped? Thats the main concern!!!!
Funny how humans expect all kinds of help when they are in trouble, but deny it to all other creatures by saying "let Nature take it's course". Interesting when Nature takes her course on humans everybody is crying out for help. Sickening. The bigger and stronger at the moment should always care for the weaker no matter who or what they are, no matter what the circumstances. Get over yourselves you creepy people who have nothing to say but crap.
Wow, it seems some people's only purpose in life is to troll around on comment sections trying to spread negativity. I am glad that my humanity is intact. Of course, I am hopeful these orcas can be saved. It is hard to see something suffer.
Does anyone know why a polar was shot near the site? Can a polar bear kill an orca?
SO WHAT if the ice formed later. This is nature folks. Just like climate change.
(BTW, I notice how the GLOBAL WARMING FOLKS HAVE STOLEN THAT TERM FROM THOSE THAT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND USING IT AGAINST THEM. PURE LIBERAL CRAP).
Let the situation play out the way it SHOULD. Things happen for a reason. Leave it alone.
Steven,
Exactly! Great post!
Let me guess. Is that why you hunt? So nature can take it's course? It would be fabulous if people just left nature alone but guess what? They never do. They create pain and death but rarely try to prevent it.
Does this mean you will be tearing down your home and allowing the property to revert back to its natural state, You as a human can not exist without affecting nature so what are you going to do about it.
I think their idea of cutting holes in the ice would work... Perhaps some low impact explosives to break through and give them a path for escape. It would be relatively inexpensive to blow a hole in the ice and at least create a bigger area for them to breath. They are very magnificent and graceful creatures, I hope they survive.
Go ahead, YOU pay for it then if it is so inexpensive.
Why not skip the Canadian Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans and go directly to the man who can get things done:
Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, 80 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
It would be encouraging to see that every effort is made to save the Orcas. Even if it means to reach out to other nations to get help. The Orcas are running out of time.
I like how so many people want to let mother nature do her thing because they're Orcas, they were too stupid to leave so lets let them die. There are alot of stupid people who put themselves in situations at no fault to anyone else and yet you want to do everything possible to save them.
Regarless of the specie of mammal, a story that typically documents how people from all over come together to provide a selfless act for the life of another usually creates a feel good vibe. And even if the subsequent actions only last a week or two, then for a week or two people are generally more caring and more helpful to others. It's sad that it takes things like this to get people to react selflessly but if thats what it takes then we should all be more supportive of the saving of the Orcas.
And if nothing else at least there will be something to read that isn't sad and depressing but rather happy and hopeful.
It seems that in fact mother nature has taken care of the problem, The wind shifted and drove the ice flow and cleared a path for the Orcas to escape to open water.
What a great ending, Not a movie ending but a great ending . Natures saves nature