Watch CBS News

Orcas Engage In Unprecedented Monterey Bay Killing Spree

MONTEREY (CBS/AP) -- A marine biologist says killer whales are on an unprecedented killing spree in California's Monterey Bay.

Nancy Black says orcas have killed four gray whale calves in eight days.

Black, who co-owns Monterey Bay Whale Watch, says a family of nine killer whales has taken part in all the attacks but the first killing involved 33 orcas.

Killer whales commonly feed on gray whale calves but Black calls the frequency of the kills unprecedented.

The calves and their mothers are migrating up the California coast from Mexico. The migration was a few weeks later than usual this year, so a lot of hungry killer whales were waiting.

Black also tells the Monterey Herald that adults in the orca family group may be teaching the youngsters how to hunt.

 
© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.