Orca's Killer Instincts Caught on Tape

BARKLEY SOUND - Wild killer whales are not considered a threat to humans.
But as captive orcas in aquariums - they have killed before and sadly for a 40 year-old trainer in Florida - it has happened again.

The whale involved in Wednesday's incident is one of the three that drowned a trainer at Victoria's Sealand nearly 20 years ago.

Whether or not a killer whale is in captivity or in the wild - there is no doubt these are wild animals.

The owner of a diving resort captured on tape a close encounter with transient killer whales in Barkley Sound.

The video - posted on Youtube.com - and with dramatic music added for effect, shows a very close encounter with a transient orca. Some would say, almost too close.

Peter Mieras and his wife Kathy Johnson were just returning to their dive lodge in Barkley Sound after a day of photographing eagles. When they spotted an orca that seemed very interested in their boat.

They soon realized it wasn't just one whale but two. And it became evident, the whale wasn't interested in them - but something hiding under their boat.

The seal was about to become lunch. It was two against one and the harbour seal couldn't hide forever. The graphic end of this story wasn't captured on tape.

The seal's demise might be upsetting for some, but this is nature at it's best or worse - depending whose side you're on.

The average transient orca eats one seal a day as part of its diet.

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