Orca whales caught on video hunting dolphins near Nanaimo

The circle of life? Yesterday, a pod of orca whales were caught on camera hunting a pod of dolphins near Nanaimo.

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The rare sighting of such an attack was from a vessel of a BC Ferry in the waters of Departure Bay at Nanaimo. Travellers on the vessel were alerted by the crew to peer outside to see the big chase and leaps made by the mammals.

Once the large pod of orcas were successfully separated, the orcas were seen circling and attacking the locally flourishing species of white-sided dolphins. Orcas are known for eating mammals such as seals and dolphins.

Pod of dolphins and orcas in Departure Bay Nanaimo chasing herring. pic.twitter.com/GbX5rOsjko

— CK as in Chris K (@solsticecat) February 3, 2014

Wow that was exciting! Pacific white sided dolphins swimming past @BuccaneerInn to #Nanaimo harbour. #awesome pic.twitter.com/SI1PTUSfP4

— Buccaneer Inn (@BuccaneerInn) February 3, 2014