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Chloe
08-20-2013, 09:55 AM
This is sad, funny, unfortunate, and redeeming all at the same time in my opinion...

3629

Harpooned killer whale drags down whaling boat, scatters crew : TreeHugger (http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/harpooned-killer-whale-drags-down-boat-indonesia.html)

by Stephen Messenger

Last Thursday, a boat loaded with twelve whalers from the island of Lembata, Indonesia spotted a killer whale and pursued it out to sea. Eventually, the crew were able to close in on their prey, driving harpoons into the animal's flesh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whaling#Controversy). But as the injured orca fought for its life, the tables soon turned -- and the whale hunters found themselves fighting for theirs.
The Jakarta Globe reports (http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/whale-drags-down-boat-with-12-traditional-hunters-on-board-in-eastern-indonesia/) that the harpooned killer whale was able to drag down the whalers' vessel, scattering the dozen-member crew into the water miles from shore.
By that evening, four men managed make it back to dry land and alert authorities about what had happened. But after local fishermen and marine police failed to find the other eight crewmembers, they were feared drowned.
Incredibly, just as their community went into a 'state of mourning' on Friday afternoon, all the missing men were found safely ashore on the neighboring island of East Nusa Tenggara. Despite several of the crewmen being injuring in the botched whale hunt, they were able to stay afloat and swim for 16 hours after their ship had sunk (http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/eight-lembata-whale-hunters-found-safe-after-16-hour-swim-to-shore/).
The island of Lembata, where the boat originated, is home to Indonesia's two remaining whaling communities (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whaling#Indonesia), practicing a 'traditional' approach to hunting. Although only around a dozen sperm whales are killed there each year, a dwindling population of the species in the region has led hunters to begin setting their sights on orcas instead -- a considerably more aggressive target as evidenced by this recent incident.
Small, traditional whaling operations may be less impactful than industrial-scale whale hunting, but given the dangers associated with the practice, it might be wise for this lucky crew to consider a safer, more profitable career alternative (http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/drop-the-harpoon-whale-watching-is-good-business.html) -- whale watching.

Chloe
08-20-2013, 09:56 AM
I'm sure the orca ended up dying from its wounds unfortunately but at least it was able to fight back against its would be killers and hopefully teach them a lesson.

Mister D
08-20-2013, 10:03 AM
Did you know that orcas and dolphins are pretty sadistic in the wild? They don't always kill for food.

Chloe
08-20-2013, 10:08 AM
Did you know that orcas and dolphins are pretty sadistic in the wild? They don't always kill for food.

Yeah i've heard that there can be some rogue ones out there that do that as well as some aggressive pods. Orcas are by far the number 1 apex predator of the ocean and can even make a meal out of great white shark. They are awesome to see in the wild though. I'm just glad this Orca was able to get in a final shot at its killers like that.

Mister D
08-20-2013, 10:15 AM
Yeah i've heard that there can be some rogue ones out there that do that as well as some aggressive pods. Orcas are by far the number 1 apex predator of the ocean and can even make a meal out of great white shark. They are awesome to see in the wild though. I'm just glad this Orca was able to get in a final shot at its killers like that.

I'm not fond of marine ammalas myself but I'm sure it must be cool to see them in the ocean. As for rogues, it appears to be a regular pattern of behavior. They sometimes appear to kill for fun.

Chloe
08-20-2013, 10:18 AM
I'm not fond of marine ammalas myself but I'm sure it must be cool to see them in the ocean. As for rogues, it appears to be a regular pattern of behavior. They sometimes appear to kill for fun.

Why aren't you fond of them? Just curious...

Mister D
08-20-2013, 10:19 AM
Why aren't you fond of them? Just curious...

I just don't think they particularly beautiful animals. And dolphins are just irritating.

Mister D
08-20-2013, 10:19 AM
ammalas = mammals :laugh:

Chloe
08-20-2013, 10:22 AM
I just don't think they particularly beautiful animals. And dolphins are just irritating.

Killer whales are actually in the dolphin family, if you didn't know that already. How are dolphins irritating? Do they wrap your house with toilet paper or something?

Mister D
08-20-2013, 10:25 AM
Killer whales are actually in the dolphin family, if you didn't know that already. How are dolphins irritating? Do they wrap your house with toilet paper or something?

I know they are all related to a greater or lesser extent.

I think it's because everyone says they are so smart and cute. God I hate that...:grin:

Chloe
08-20-2013, 10:33 AM
I know they are all related to a greater or lesser extent.

I think it's because everyone says they are so smart and cute. God I hate that...:grin:

Jealous of a dolphin :thumbsup20: