The Humpback and the Killer

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Jul 29, 2022

Robert Pitman, a whale biologist at Oregon State University, dives into the intriguing world of humpback and killer whale interactions. He reveals how humpbacks act as unexpected guardians of the sea, thwarting killer whales from hunting seals and even gray whale calves. Their behavior raises questions about altruism versus instinct in the wild. The podcast highlights the complexities of whale dynamics and reshapes our understanding of their roles within marine ecology, celebrating their powerful presence in the ocean.

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ANECDOTE

Humpbacks and Killer Whales: A Strange Encounter

In Antarctica, Bob Pitman observed killer whales seemingly interacting with two humpbacks.
Closer inspection revealed a Weddell seal hiding between the humpbacks.

ANECDOTE

Humpbacks Interrupt Killer Whale Hunt Again

Killer whales were hunting a crabeater seal on an ice floe, preparing to wave-wash it.
The same two humpbacks reappeared and disrupted the hunt, causing the killer whales to leave.

ANECDOTE

Humpback Saves Seal

Killer whales wave-washed a Weddell seal into the water, but the seal swam towards two humpbacks.
One humpback rolled over and lifted the seal onto its belly, protecting it from the killer whales.

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Killer whales — orcas — eat all sorts of animals, including humpback calves. But one day, biologists saw a group of humpback whales trying to stop some killer whales from eating… a seal. And then it happened again. And again. It turns out, all across the oceans, humpback whales are swimming around stopping killer whales from hunting all kinds of animals — from seals to gray whales to sunfish. And of course while many scientists explain this behavior as the result of blind instincts that are ultimately selfish, much of the world celebrates humpbacks as superhero vigilantes of the sea. But when Annie McEwen dug into what was really going on between humpbacks and killer whales, she found a set of stories that refused to fit in either of those two ways of seeing the world.Special thanks to Eric J. Gleske and Brendan Brucker at Media Services, Oregon State University as well as Colleen Talty at Monterey Bay Whale Watch and California Killer Whale Project. Special thanks also to Doug McKnight and Giuliana Mayo.

Episode Credits:Reported and produced by Annie McEwenOriginal music and sound design by Annie McEwenMixing help from Arianne WackFact-checking by Diane KellyEdited by Becca Bressler

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CITATIONS:

Videos:Alisa Schulman-Janiger took this video (https://zpr.io/5mYNTWpxs5GV) of the humpbacks defending the gray whale calf’s carcass from the killer whales.

Articles:Read Robert Pitman’s (et al) paper (https://zpr.io/iU9shuNW9tAj) about the humpbacks saving the seal and a review of the 115 interactions they collected between humpbacks and killer whales.

Books:The World in the Whale (https://zpr.io/2BHBermJJfKj). If you are interested in whales, you are going to love this book.

Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation Initiative, and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.