Rescue Workers Brave Hypothermia to Save Six Beached Killer Whales in Argentina

A group of killer whales, also known as orcas, found stranded on a beach in Argentina faced a lifeline from local rescue workers on Monday.

Seven killer whales became beached near Mar Chiquita in Buenos Aires. Quick-thinking passersby spotted the orcas and promptly alerted the authorities, who mobilized city workers, firefighters, and marine biologists to the scene. A total of 150 people, including many inexperienced in marine rescues, joined forces to aid in the effort. Over the course of six grueling hours, they utilized ropes to painstakingly drag the massive three-ton creatures back into the Atlantic Ocean.

Regrettably, one of the orcas perished during the rescue attempt, with volunteer rescuer Natalia Villa, aged 20, expressing her sorrow, “I regret that we could not move the biggest one; he died there in front of us.”

Two of the rescuers required treatment for hypothermia, yet their dedication remained unwavering. As rescuer Andrés Ersinger put it, “I never thought about the cold or the effort; I just wanted to return them to the sea.”

The reasons behind the pod’s beaching remain unclear, though Tourism Secretary Flavia Laguné suggested to La Nacion that the group may have become disoriented. An autopsy will be conducted on the deceased orca, although Laguné noted that none of the creatures appeared to be ill.

To ensure that the killer whales did not turn back toward the shore, a maritime authority ship accompanied them out to sea.

Meanwhile, in Orange County, California, over the weekend, a rare gray baby orca was spotted by a whale-watching excursion. The calf, estimated to be a few weeks old, was observed by passengers alongside a pod of typically colored orcas near the Catalina Channel.

The reason for its gray skin remains a mystery, although its pigment may eventually darken over time. Typically, killer whales are born with a yellow or orange hue that fades to white as they age. Adult killer whales typically possess a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eyes. Antarctic killer whales may have backs that are pale gray to nearly white.

Despite their name, killer whales are more closely related to dolphins. They can reach lengths of up to 30 feet, with males living for up to 60 years and females for up to 90 years. Known for their intelligence, killer whales communicate through clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls for socializing, navigation, and alerting others to danger or prey. Researchers have discovered that members of a pod share a similar “dialect.”

Orcas have been observed imitating each other, teaching skills to their offspring, and even playfully interacting with humans. In some cases, Alaskan killer whales have been seen stealing fish from baited fishing lines.

Killer whales are found across the world, from the Arctic to tropical seas, and are considered apex predators with no natural predators. However, some populations are classified as threatened or endangered, primarily due to human activities such as prey depletion, capture, habitat loss, and marine pollution.