HUMPBACKS FIGHT ORCAS TO SAVE SEA LION

VICTORIA • A pod of “heroic” humpback whales came to the rescue of a desperate sea lion attacked by four cunning and hungry orcas off the coast of southwestern British Columbia, a phenomenon never before seen by whale-watching operators in the Salish Sea.

The waters were glass calm on Sept. 11 when whalewatchers saw four humpbacks huddle around a Steller’s sea lion, slapping their pectoral fins and their flukes.

“(They were) taking shots essentially, taking swings at these transient orcas,” said Michael Harris, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association.

The whale-watchers could hear the humpbacks “trumpeting like we have never heard” with a ferocity that resembled a wild elephant.

Capt. Russ Nicks of Victoria-based B.C. Whale Tours said it was fascinating to watch the show of aggression.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this,” Nicks said. “I explained to the guests how rare this kind of interaction is.”

The humpbacks took turns diving and slashing at the orcas for about 40 minutes, until the orcas, known as the T100 family, finally retreated.

“(The humpbacks’) predator is the orca and they didn’t run away. They actually came to the aid of another mammal,” Nicks said.

The interaction confirms a study published by the Journal of Marine Mammal Science that found humpback whales will defend other marine species such as seals, sea lions and grey whale calves from orca attacks.