Killer whales trapped in Quebec ice captured in haunting video

Killer whales trapped in Quebec ice captured in haunting video

A northern Quebec community is trying to save a number of killer whales trapped under a thick blanket of sea ice.

Residents of Inukjuak village say the whales are using only a small patch of open water to breathe and calls for an icebreaker to smash the floes have been unsuccessful.

In a video posted to Facebook, a number of the whales can be seen taking turns breaching in the small patch of open water: some torpedo straight up, several feet out of the water, while others surface porpoise-style to catch a breath.

Simeonie Nalukturuk, public safety officer for the nearby village of Inukjuak, Que., confirmed no fewer than 11 whales are trapped.

"It looks quite beautiful, but we're not sure exactly what to do right now because where they are is very rough; the ice condition is dangerous," Nalukturuk told CTVNews.ca by phone.

The video was recorded on Tuesday, but the whales were still there on Wednesday morning, he said.

Can't help but feel that is weird timing, as the family and I just watched Drew Barrymore's movie 'Big Miracle', about a similar incident in the '80's with whales in Alaska.

Saw that on the news last night. Not knowing the area is it possible to still get an icebreaker in there. The government could make major brownie points with the greenies if it would work.

Step one imo would be aeration equipment, open that hole up so they're not fighting for such a small space.

It's all over now-unclutch your pearls gurlz.

Orca burgers for everyone!

This cracked me up

We have a saying in the Marines... There's always one that doesn't get the word.

I know. They've been free for hours already. I still want an orca burger though.

Yup

Trapped killer whales escape ice, reach safety, hunters say - thestar.com