Overview
- A pod of orcas hunted a small group of long‑beaked common dolphins in Monterey Bay on Sunday, with whale‑watch passengers and crew capturing video and photos of dolphins being rammed and repeatedly thrown into the air.
- Observers and reporters identified the hunters as members of CA140B, known as Louise’s Pod, including the male CA151, nicknamed “Jimmy.”
- Sanctuary Cruises personnel said the orcas reached speeds near 30 miles per hour, used underwater approaches to ram dolphins, and may have consumed up to five animals during the encounter.
- The Sanctuary Cruises boat was the first on the water that morning and had the pod to itself for about an hour, and the same orcas returned the following day for further observation.
- NOAA and university biologists framed the footage as rare but natural, noting killer whales use coordinated group tactics to catch marine mammals and that such events reflect a functioning, active Monterey Bay ecosystem.