The stranded killer whale was first discovered on the rocks by a nearby vessel, the Steadfast, according to NOAA, who “authorized them to use a seawater pump to keep the whale wet and any birds away,” NOAA spokesperson Julie Fair told CNN.
The boat crew kept an eye on the whale until a NOAA officer and Alaska Wildlife Troopers arrived.
“At times during the stranding, the killer whale was vocalizing and other killer whales were spotted in the vicinity,” Fair said.
“We heard there was a beached killer whale so we went to go find it. NOAA gave permission to keep the orca wet and protected from animals until they could arrive,” Melane says in the video. “We were working on getting a hose and pump to work. In the meantime, we used buckets to keep the orca wet. The orca started getting more lively after we put water on it.”
The killer whale was stuck for about six hours, she added.
This is not the first time a Bigg’s killer whale became stuck on rocks, according to Bay Cetology.
It is unclear how the orca became stranded or whether it was hunting seals when it got stuck.
Source : Nbcnewyork