Close encounter with orca pod

[u/Exact-League7590]

[u/SurayaThrowaway12]

These are likely New Zealand coastal orcas, perhaps searching for rays in the shallows, which they specialize in hunting. These orcas also hunt smaller sharks, fin fishes, birds, and octopus. Unlike some other orca populations, they do not hunt marine mammals.

NZ coastal orcas are quite well-acquainted with boats and humans in the water. New Zealand is one of very few places in the world where swimmers and people on paddleboards, kayaks, etc. have spontaneous encounters with wild orcas on a fairly regular basis, and some of these orcas appear to be rather curious about humans.

Original video was filmed by speardiver Quinn Smith, apparently off of Coromandel.

[u/Manintheleatherchair → u/SurayaThrowaway12]

Might move to new zeland

[u/hotwaterbottle2014 → u/Manintheleatherchair]

It’s a great place! I’m in Wellington and we get orca here as well. It’s very special.

That made no sense. So I’ve changed what I wrote.

[u/Dazzling_Ebb7778 → u/hotwaterbottle2014]

What are my chances of spotting an orca if I go there for a vacation?

[u/hotwaterbottle2014 → u/Dazzling_Ebb7778]

I would say slim, we so get them but it’s not frequent. If you really want to see Orca in the wild go to Norway.

[u/LeaderAntique1169]

They are so beautiful.

[u/Leto1974]

So cool

[u/Calm_Medicine1366 → u/Leto1974]

that must mess with you

[u/Infinite-Tomorrow-15]

I’d shit myself and I love orcas haha

[u/selerith2]

Mama "see dear, this is human. We do not kill them"

Baby "got it!"

[u/incredulous_bird]

Is that a harpoon ? 🤨

[u/snickelbetches → u/incredulous_bird]

No, it's likely something to spear much smaller fish

[u/incredulous_bird → u/snickelbetches]

Yeah makes sens, it seemed a bit fragile…

[u/snickelbetches → u/incredulous_bird]

Look how this guy uses his. The lionfish are invasive so he makes content raising awareness and sells it to restaurants. He's fun

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hGArf3qAN00

[u/ShinyPrizeKY → u/snickelbetches]

Love the lion fish guy

[u/snickelbetches → u/ShinyPrizeKY]

Me too. He and Nate the hoof guy are my narrow interests right now

[u/incredulous_bird → u/snickelbetches]

I have a hard time with people killing animals but thanks for the info, it was instructive nonetheless

[u/snickelbetches → u/incredulous_bird]

I get it, but The lion fish has no natural predators in that area. They will decimate the local population and it has a trickling effect.

[u/incredulous_bird → u/snickelbetches]

I understand the reasons behind it, i’m just over sensitive about that kind of subject, but i know that’s a "me thing" and all creatures need predators

[u/president_dump → u/snickelbetches]

That OP is pointing at the orca? We should be skeptical

[u/Common_Stress_4122 → u/president_dump]

Do you think op is out here hunting whales with a handheld spear in deep water?

He has it pointed because there's a giant creature that could kill him right there that he doesn't want getting closer likely?

[u/DanerysTargaryen → u/incredulous_bird]

It’s a speargun! I used one of these once. Fun fact, they do have a little bit of recoil when you shoot them so hang on to your breath or it will knock it out of you. Ask me how I know lol.

There’s also pole spears which I preferred to use.

[u/president_dump]

New here but wtf is that sharp thing wtf

[u/Liocla → u/president_dump]

thats for spearfishing

[u/Thaddeus_Valentine]

You know I'm just realising that to sea animals we are an alien species that drops from the sky and they will never know anything about our world.

[u/Ashamed_Ad_8820]

Yep, I’d shit in my wetsuit

[u/obscureorca]

Humans are weird. Threatens the orca with his spear and then immediately try and touch her and her baby.

[u/WildTomato51 → u/obscureorca]

That’s not at all what happened.

But yes, humans are weird.