Orcas have been known to help whalers hunt Baleen Whales

‘Old Tom’ is often a nickname which the whalers of Eden, Australia gave to a particular killer whale that helped them hunt and kill many Baleen whales. According to the whalers, ‘Old Tom’ and his pod would wait offshore for many of the whales to migrate by and suddenly ambush them.
‘Old Tom’ would then drive the baleen whales to the shallow waters where the whalers would help kill them. All ‘Old Tom’ and his pod wanted was to feast on the tongue as well as the lips of the baleen whales, and then they would leave the rest for the whalers.

This happened for over 80 years starting in 1844! The question still remains, why would the whales do this? Some say that the whalers had such an understanding of the whales that they were naturally able to work together.

However, the more likely explanation is because of the geography surrounding the shoreline of Eden, it was easier for the killer whales to push the baleen whales to shallow water where they could put up less of a fight.

This was important for the killer whales to do because of how much bigger the baleen whales were! Learn more about ‘Old Tom’ and his gang by clicking the source.