Desperate Seal Leaps for Its Life, Landing in Photographer's Boat in Heart-Stopping Orca Chase
A harbor seal made a desperate move in Puget Sound when a pod of hunting orcas closed in. The marine chase unfolded off Camano Island, where wildlife photographer Charvet Drucker was watching the whales work the water with fast turns and tail slaps. Those signs marked the coordinated tactics typical of Bigg’s orcas, OPB reports, and the seal appeared to be their next target.
The seal’s first attempts to flee happened underwater. Moments later, Drucker spotted it airborne above the churn of black and white bodies. She assumed the hunt was ending the way most do, a detail confirmed by Global News, which described the mammal briefly flying over the melee before vanishing again.
But the seal resurfaced with a new plan.
A harbor seal fled a coordinated orca hunt.
The Dash Toward the Boat
As the pod pushed closer, the photographer’s group had already killed the engine in accordance with local wildlife rules. That created a rare opportunity. The seal swam directly for the stern, pulled itself onto the small platform near the motor, and held position as the orcas continued to circle. BBC noted that Drucker did not touch the animal, but began filming as it settled on the boat like it had found a temporary island.
The whales responded with precision.
The seal jumped onto a small boat for safety.
Wave-Washing Tactics
The pod lined up and dove in staggered formations to send waves at the boat. This “wave-washing” strategy has been documented since the 1980s by NOAA, OPB reports. Their efforts rocked the vessel hard enough for the seal to slide off more than once.
Each time, it forced its way back up.
For roughly 15 to 20 minutes, the orcas repeated their attempts. According to People, three whales even circled tightly around the boat in a final push before breaking off.
A Narrow Escape and a Quiet Ending
The pod eventually abandoned the hunt and regrouped with other whales nearby. When the water calmed, the seal remained alert but safe on the platform. Drucker later eased the boat to a closer stretch of shore, where the animal slid back into the sea on its own. BBC reported that the seal left only after it appeared comfortable enough to return to open water.
The encounter offered a close look at the sharp instincts of both predator and prey in the Salish Sea. One relied on coordinated strategy. The other relied on a single bold leap.
