Pod of orcas trapped in ice off the coast of Japan

A pod of orcas appeared to be trapped by drift sea ice off the coast of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido on Tuesday.
The fate of the orcas, popularly known as killer whales, remains uncertain as local officials tell Japanese public broadcaster NHK they have no choice but to wait for the ice to break up naturally.
The trapped orcas were first spotted by a local fisherman Tuesday morning, who alerted Japan Coast Guard officials.
A similar incident occurred in the same area in 2005, according to NHK, when nine orcas reportedly died after being trapped in drift ice.
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[@time4paws]

Heartbreaking, I hope they find a way to help free them.

[@silversurfer3636]

No, the answer is take all the climate activists and make them shovel ice until they figure out global warming is a bunch of bullshit!

[@linwei-lee110]

They're free🎉

[@bobbies1562]

The Japan Coast Guard said the ice was too thick to send a ship in to clear a path. A similar event happened to 3000 beluga whales ~40 years ago and three or four countries banded together to send ice breakers to free the whales. The whales initially refused to follow the ships. Classical music was played, they eventually followed the ships out, and 2000 belugas survived.

[@strengthwisdom]

For the orcas they need to play "The empire strikes back" to make them follow

[@kamora43tb]

So they're not even gonna try to help them? Omg those poor beautiful creatures. I can't believe this is happening 😮😢😢.

[@bobbies1562]

@kamora43tb The ice melted enough to allow the whales to escape, according to media. They were observed swimming elsewhere and the next day they were gone. Yay!

[@lost4468yt]

​@@kamora43tbthey're normally fine if you just wait. It's not worth doing anything if our actions might make the situation worse.

[@justmejenny7986]

I hope they can break a path for them to get out.

[@the209jungalist]

I count 20, I cant imagine how many are there below the ice just waiting for a moment to come up and breathe. This is sad, i hate seeing anything in trouble like this.

[@silversurfer3636]

Ur mom is sad!😂

[@the209jungalist]

@@silversurfer3636 And you are a waste of air that the orcas could be breathing!

[@michaelscholz3591]

​@@silversurfer3636 you would be the leading expert in making moms sad clearly. A sad event, and yet you are class clowning it up.

[@missygee531]

What?

[@bromandudeguy1995]

They’ve escaped now apparently somehow.

[@bridgettbowlin3409]

Breaks my heart. Please save them. 😢😢

[@tiiaamii]

So sad 😢

[@vad39111]

Where is the Greenpeace?!! Where's the Gretta?!!!

[@ivideo4105]

When it'll start melted they're going to be there preaching about global warming;).

[@sharzadgabbai4408]

Where were you smartasd?

[@GigaHellblaze]

Hope they free them and not kill them for food these are protected species.

[@Bullrider33Outdoors]

Not in Japan Are They Protected

[@Amanda-pb9ry]

They could use a plane for dropping fire retardants during wildfires and instead drop salt in a line out to sea.

[@lost4468yt]

Salt won't have an impact on that much ice at that temperature. And if it did the salt in the pathway would probably poison and kill the orcas. They escaped when the ice naturally changed. This happens pretty often and most of the time the orcas just wait it out. It's not worth us trying to do something if we're likely to make the situation worse than doing nothing.

[@kristenharden3157]

This is horrifying. Everyone should come together to help.

[@jimwalker4984]

Someone call the diesel brothers they will buy an ice breaker ship and save the orcas!!!

[@carmenaguilera505]

This is terrible to see. Hope they survive😢

[@lost4468yt]

They did.

[@shellyestep9621]

So sad

[@giovannamonday7736]

Omg Oh my god I wish I was nearby I could go help them. The japan coast guard needs to go help them are something. Who do you call for this kind of stuff

[@yager91]

Please help them 🙏🙏🙏

[@rhondabrandonisio9260]

Where is the closest barge or Icebreaker?

[@yuhao4787]

Russian

[@irinanazarova69]

Russia offered help, the icebreaker is not far away. Japan didn’t answer.

[@countryhorseluvr]

@@irinanazarova69did Russia come?

[@christinebrusco3349]

What are they doing to help them?😢

[@hollyholcomb8767]

They need to ask for an ice breaker ship from nearest port

[@Littleperuvianadam]

At least the polar bears are happy...

[@jordanfields3402]

Whales are intelligent creatures. Arctic ice is a natural habitat for them. I will bet how they got into that mess they will eventually find a way out under the ice.

[@silversurfer3636]

Ur mom finds a way out!😂

[@jordanfields3402]

@@silversurfer3636 Actually my mom hates the cold and stays in shape. She definitely weighs less than a whale!😉🐳

[@lost4468yt]

If they're doing this they very likely don't have a way out, and they definitely don't know they have a way out even if they do. Either because it's blocked, or it's too far to swim without breathing. They can do this for a while, so normally they just do it until the ice naturally changes. But they definitely didn't trap themselves intentionally, they messed up or were in a situation they couldn't predict - just like even the smartest humans do. Sometimes the weather doesn't change in time and they do die. Sometimes the weaker ones die before they can get out. These ones got out pretty soon after this as the ice changed. These are also becoming more prevalent as they become more prone to taking risks as they search for new environments due to mostly human impacts. There's also more refreezing in many places, so they're more likely to get stuck as well.

[@barbarabryers5804]

9:57am...they need an ice breaker there. Has Japan done anything to help them get free?

[@user-yk8gc7kx7b]

Sad

[@KennieMarshall]

Does anybody know why this happens? Why can’t they swim under the ice? Is it because there’s no holes for oxygen? I’m not understanding.

[@dinabrown6529]

Because they are not fish they are a mammal species like us, they breath air, they can only hold their breaths for 5 to 10 min, then they must breathe there is no way out of the ice. Its too far for them to swim under without a break to get air

[@user-xc4up9sg1j]

STOP ANIMAL ABUSE!!! THANK YOU…Change Climate Change…Show The World You Care Japan…

[@richardwebb3013]

There's nothing we can do for them it's horrible.

[@Stormy2809]

There must be a way to make a path for them, at least create some large breathing holes that lead to open water. I know if it happened here in the U.S. they wouldn't leave them to drown. But in Japan they don't care.

[@silversurfer3636]

Ur mom makes a path!😂

[@missygee531]

They dont care bc they kill them

[@Stormy2809]

@@silversurfer3636 No, your mom does! 😘

[@kerricorser4562]

Ice breakers hurry, break a path!

[@christinacolon9326]

If this can be filmed why cant help be sent?

[@bromandudeguy1995]

Drones film. Ice too thick for ice breakers.

[@barbarabryers5804]

Perhaps an helicopter flew out and took this picture? Or probably a drone..

[@donnapennock6821]

Why won't someone help them 😢

[@skylark1250]

A ship can break the ice. I know humans can help free them with effort.

[@Bullrider33Outdoors]

Not In Japanese Waters

[@yossirihandle]

Japan. Please ask Ice Breaker from Russia to help them!!!!!

[@Bullrider33Outdoors]

Russia Got There Own Issues With Ukraine And Plus These Whales Are Stuck In Japanese Waters Best Thing And The Cheapest Is They Harvest These Animals For Food

[@Deryee123]

If they were able to get themselves over there, why can't they get themselves out?

[@salgadoxx]

I think they became disoriented and as animal beings they are probably in fear now which continues the cycle 😢

[@Beitownit]

Wrong country to be trapped in.

[@ofashodo]

I don't understand how the whole pod swam out that far under the ice in the first place? What the hell were they following the wrong leader or something? This is really sad to see

[@missygee531]

Maybe something in the water has frightened them? Such as a Navy experiment, explosion or something by man?? I dont believe these Orcas wud normally and knowingly do what might not be safe. They navigate that sea...seems like they shud know it well. I do hope they are now safe! ❤️

[@warrenroach3026]

This seems so tragic, does anyone know if it's a common thing , should someone break the ice up a little so they can travel I wonder, Japan could get good karma for saving a few wales

[@tavinaiti5906]

A ton des nouvelles de ses orques sont-ils saint et sauf? S’il vous plaît

[@DaNiyaHodge]

Prayers for Orcas

[@Missgreeneyes04]

Come on U.s Coast guard get in there... save the orcas

[@dianeiapalucci7485]

Help them, you can if you want to, some great ideas have been suggested!

[@thelastdefenderofcamelot5623]

Come out Watson!. Stop hiding and bring out your Sea Shepherd. You still have a lot of unfinished business to take care of.

[@Bullrider33Outdoors]

He Retired And Plus Sea Sheppard Or Anyone Can't Enter Japanese Waters Without Causing A War

[@kenadrian27]

Knowing the Japanese, they trapped them there themselves

[@PursueAndObtainKnowledge]

The Japanese rarely consume whale or dolphin

[@kenadrian27]

@@PursueAndObtainKnowledge They rarely protest against the minority in their country that do hunt whale and dolphin

[@Catarinawon]

Can't they be helped?

[@tiffanyhickey803]

Save them!!

[@cue3241]

There's no ice breakers there? The Japanese kill dolphins, so they probably wouldn't help anyway.

[@Yoyoo8]

Whales stranded by japan that’s scary hopefully they don’t hunt them lol

[@Josh-sm3hg]

Alas, if only the earth was warming faster it would maybe free them.

[@CS2_GHOST]

Let's send help

[@suwirwong]

I want to try to save them anyone can at least share their coodinate?

[@ismailmokhti327]

Free meal for dolphin/whale for Nihon jin. This niku is so takai!

[@yellowmonkeyvirus5756]

it can be expected , these whales are already eaten or awaiting to be eaten

[@CS2_GHOST]

We gotta help em out .. and in return they tell stories about us in the deadly seas

[@odalysmartinez7479]

😭💔🙏🏻 🙏🏻🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🙏🏻

[@user-sz9dj1py4l]

thatz amazing to look at

[@LuziferDz]

They are dying, wdym

[@REBELYELL1313]

Of all the Millions of years of Ice. You mean to tell me they can't dive under water???

[@barbarabryers5804]

Of course they can, but they have to come up for air as needed and it looks like there are no breaks in the ice to do that.

[@theboyzadventures2576]

Swim down go else where

[@drexxsuma1749]

They are in danger whale they are in japan.

[@jonasbrothersrockist]

Free them

[@nickbrannon3251]

They would all do that to another animal just for fun. Jussayin

[@MNTrader2012]

Sushi Chefs already bidding for the meat

[@MrHailteam]

I'd call trump

[@barnowlwatcher]

To do what exactly? Please list all the things he did for the environment…oh, no, how about I share the following: “In all, a New York Times analysis, based on research from Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School and other sources, counts nearly 100 environmental rules officially reversed, revoked or otherwise rolled back under Mr. Trump.” Yeah, get real.

[@waldimort453]

Die werden save von den japanern verspeist. Ruhrt in frieden.

[@broke_dongle]

That damn global warming😂

[@Moneydoublez]

People more worries about wales when human life. This world is insane!

[@Bullrider33Outdoors]

Exactly They Rather Cause Conflict And Risk Of Another Possible War And Break Treaties With Japan There A Good Chance These Whales Will End Up On The Meat Market It's Sad But There Nothing No Country Can Do Without Causing More Conflict Everyone Doesn't Want War Or Conflict But When It Comes To Animals Oh Hell Breaks Loose

[@NPRYRS]

Uhhhhh, they can't live out of water🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽 what's big deal, GOD MADE THEM FOR THIS 🙏🏼🙏🙏🏻

[@hooker4749]

I don't understand ..how are they trapped?.....watch out for the Japanese though..LOL

[@shaf60]

They are trapped because they have to come for air every so often to breathe . That's why they have a blow hole at the top of their head unlike plane ol fish .

[@Mr_Zod]

They need to hold their breath to go under the ice, they cannot hold their breath long enough to get to ice free water, so they are therefore trapped, it is not rocket science.

[@kusheran]

They need to stop chasing yachts! Karma happens to Orcas too! JK! ⛵🦈🐋

[@user-qu8lt3hf7e]

Republicans fault ban

[@B86432]

😂

[@silversurfer3636]

So, it's so cold the environment is killing whales! So we need the planet to get warmer so they can live! Climate activists are so hateful against whales we should protest wherever they drive a car!😂

[@salgadoxx]

So sad

[@user-xc4up9sg1j]

STOP ANIMAL ABUSE!!! THANK YOU…Change Climate Change…Show The World You Care Japan…

[@Bullrider33Outdoors]

They Will When There Bellies Are Full Of Whale Meat 😂