What an absolutely incredible day on April 2nd 2024 Monterey Bay Whale Watch had with the apex predator of the seas, For only the 6th time ever in almost 40 years of data from California Orca Biologists, The California Killer Whale Project, we documented a Minke Whale predation event! There were minimum 30 killer whales in the area, all working together and taking turns during the hunt. Once they successfully predated the minke whale, all the family groups shared the prey amongst each other, even several little calves only a few months old were feasting! In between eating, many whales also breached, tail slapped, spy hopped, and made closes passes to the boats! We have identified some of the matrilines so far, but are still working on many IDs. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for so many people, including researchers!

Minkes are the smallest species of baleen whale we encounter in California

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