A group of killer whales that seemed to be stuck in ice off Japan’s main northern island of Hokkaido has apparently gotten free, according to a local official. The orcas, numbering over 10, were first seen by a local fisherman on Tuesday morning.February 7, 2024, 12:22 PM ET• 4 min readThe town of Rausu’s officials searched for the whales on foot for approximately two hours on Wednesday, but the animals were not found, Ryoji Onuma, who is leading the response for Rausu, informed ABC News.”It appears they have escaped, but we cannot be certain,” said Onuma. He confirmed that the ice was melting, and the situation was improving, therefore, there is no need for further rescue efforts. “It’s a wrap for us,” he added.Onuma stated that while they cannot confirm their escape for sure, he is optimistic that the whales found their way out. Wildlife organizations from the United States and Russia volunteered to help, but direct intervention was deemed too risky for both humans and animals, according to Onuma.Onuma observed the whales struggling as the sun set on Tuesday, commenting on their coordinated attempts to breathe. The Japan Coast Guard also participated in the effort, but the use of icebreakers was considered risky, as they could potentially harm the orcas.Onuma, while acknowledging that he is not an expert, mentioned that the animals have distinct characteristics and unique natural marks, making it possible for them to be recognized if spotted in the future. Drone footage of the trapped orcas was shared on social media, showing the animals trying to breathe and swim free. A similar incident happened in Rausu in 2005, where nine orcas reportedly died after being trapped in drift ice.ABC News’ Anthony Trotter contributed to this report.
