A harbor seal being hunted by at least eight Bigg’s orcas escaped temporarily by climbing onto the stern of a photographer’s boat in Washington’s Salish Sea.
The encounter occurred near Camano and Whidbey islands on November 2, 2025. The people cut the engine, avoided touching the seal, and allowed the natural encounter to continue.
A Pod Begins Hunting
Wildlife photographer Charvet Drucker was travelling on a rented 20-foot boat when she saw at least eight orcas moving together. Tail slaps, coordinated swimming, and churning water suggested that the pod was actively hunting.
The Seal Tries to Escape
Using a zoom lens, Drucker identified a harbor seal fleeing among the orcas. One photograph showed the seal thrown above the disturbed water. She initially believed that she was witnessing the animal’s final moments.
The Boat Becomes Shelter
As the chase approached, the seal climbed onto the swimming platform at the stern near the motor. The boat had unintentionally become a refuge. The people did not lure the animal or place it there.
The Engine Stays Off
The group had already stopped the engine in accordance with wildlife-boating rules. Restarting it near the whales could have caused injury. The stationary boat also allowed the seal to remain on the platform without propeller movement beneath it.
Orcas Create Waves
The orcas did not immediately abandon the hunt. They lined up and made staggered dives that produced waves around the boat. Similar “wave-washing” behavior is used by some orca populations to remove seals from floating ice.
The Seal Falls Back
The seal slid or fell into the water at least once but managed to climb onto the platform again. Each return showed how strongly it was using the boat as temporary protection from the coordinated predators.
The Orcas Leave
After approximately 15 minutes, the orcas moved away. The seal remained alive and later left the boat. Its survival came from an unusual opportunity rather than from a guaranteed defence against a pod of experienced marine hunters.
People Did Not Interfere
Wildlife rules prohibited the passengers from touching or actively moving the seal. They filmed quietly and allowed it to choose when to leave. That response protected the people, the seal, and the orcas while avoiding deliberate disruption of natural hunting behavior.
Featured Image: Photo by Jess Loiterton on Pexels
