Canada's trapped whales go free: causes of concerns and rescue scenarios
795 views · Published 10 February 2013 · 0:52 · Indexed 1 October 2026
Channel: News Direct · 2013 · Pets & Animals
The eleven killer whales trapped under sea ice off the coast of Inukjuak were reportedly free on Thursday, as shifting winds pushed floating ice away and opened up a path enabling them to escape to open water. Two adults and nine adolescents whales had been trapped for at least three days, during which time they had shared one breathing hole approximately 900 centimeters wide. This animation illustrates the whales' predicament and possible rescue scenarios. According to Reuters, the orcas were first spotted by a local Inuit hunter on Tuesday. The breathing hole was at least 10 kilometers away from open water. Conservationists were concerned the wind and the water freezing would eventually close the hole causing the whales to drown. Local villagers had planned to break the ice with tools such as chainsaws to keep the breathing hole open. Another possible method was using motor-powered de-icers to draw warmer water to the surface.
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