Published On May 23, 2021
Disclaimer: this is a scientific research video, showing the actual behavior of wild animals in natural settings and is fully uncensored. Sometimes, animal behavior can be disturbing to the sensibility of some people, therefore viewers discretion is advised.
Elephant seal female predated by killer whales off the coast of Sea Lion Island (Falkland Islands). Observing killer whales from the air (drone) gives an invaluable perspective on their behavior, which is very difficult to appreciate from shore or even from a boat. Here Puma's pod (a well known orcas pod in the Falklands) got a female elephant seal that was probably coming back to shore for her moulting period. Surely a very good meal. Interesting to see the newborn (called Pepper), only a few weeks old, actively participating to the feast ! And a very bloody end, it is incredible how bright red is elephant seal blood !
In this occasion our drone (DJI Mavic Pro Platinum) gave its best at filming this incredible event just before...going for a swim in the ocean :-( Sigh sigh sigh...it gave us a remote controller error, lost connection with the app (meaning we couldn't see exactly where it was) and finally started descending too quick until...puff, a big dive ! This is the reason for the low resolution in the video, it is the one streamed live on the connected tablet !