A pod of killer whales was spotted off the coast of Los Angeles this week by a group of whale watchers, who observed a massive male named Macho gliding through the ocean with the others.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Macho, the killer whale, was spotted off the coast of Los Angeles.
- Moms with young calves were spotted gliding through the water.
- Killer whales are highly sociable animals that mostly live in social groups.
CALIFORNIA – A beautiful scene unfolded off the coast of Los Angeles as whale watchers on drones scouring the ocean stumbled upon a massive killer whale floating through the water.
Whale watchers were astonished to spot a ginormous male killer whale named Macho off the coast of California on Wednesday, swimming alongside a young calf.
Killer whales are highly sociable animals that mostly live in social groups called pods, which can range up to 20 individuals.
Pod of killer whales swimming off the coast of California.
(Mauricio Tassara/@empty_drone via Storyful)
Moms with young calves were spotted gliding through the water, showing little care for the onlookers safely filming from the vessel.
These large beasts live in all oceans but are most abundant in colder waters such as Antarctica, the North Atlantic, and the North Pacific, according to NOAA.
Mother and calf killer whale swimming in the ocean.
(Mauricio Tassara/@empty_drone via Storyful)
People have observed resident killer whales in California in the past.
“Sightings of these orcas in southern California are uncommon, making an encounter with a giant like Macho truly extraordinary,” Mauricio Tassara told Storyful News.
The whales are seen gliding along the surface of the ocean, where they occasionally surface to breathe.
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It is important to keep vessels as dormant as possible, as boat noise interrupts the whales’ ability to use sound, which can disturb feeding habits and communication.
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This is a special experience, considering these large creatures are found much farther off the coast, making it a welcome experience for whale watchers.
