Russian Rescuers Free Family of Orcas Trapped by Low Tide in Kamchatka
Killer whales trapped by low tide in Kamchatka, Oct. 2, 2024. X/ @Reuters
October 2, 2024 Hour: 9:22 am
With the onset of high tide, the orcas were moved to a deeper area so they could swim out to sea.
On Wednesday, authorities in the Kamchatka region carried out a rescue operation for a family of orcas that had become stranded on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk due to low tide.
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“Two adult orcas and two calves were stranded on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, near the town of Ustievie, due to low tide and shallow waters,” said Sergei Lebedev, the regional Minister of Emergencies.
The video shows several people, standing in knee-deep water, wetting the animals to keep them alive. Over 30 people rescuers and local volunteers participated in the rescue operation. With the onset of high tide around 10:00-11:00 PM local time, the orcas were initially moved “to a deeper area” so they could swim toward open sea when the tide fully rose.
“All of this is done by hand, the seabed is covered in silt, and special equipment can’t be used,” Lebedev said, adding that the water level rose enough for the four marine mammals to swim on their own toward the sea.
“A boat is accompanying them. I wish them luck, and I hope they find their way to freedom,” he said, noting that the orcas would be monitored until they left the mouth of the Vorovski River.
Russia bans the capture of marine mammals for educational or recreational purposes following the “whale jail” scandal that broke in early 2019, when authorities discovered a hundred orcas and belugas that had been captured for sale to Chinese aquariums.
After multiple protests from environmentalists, who are categorically opposed to the use of these animals for recreational purposes, Russian authorities took action and released the 87 belugas, 11 orcas, and 5 walrus calves that had been held captive.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
