Caught on cam: Dozens of dolphins charge past whale-watching boat off Vancouver Island
Tourists off Vancouver Island witnessed a rare spectacle when a pod of dolphins stampeded past a whale-watching vessel near the Mid-Island this weekend.
Dozens of Pacific white-sided dolphins swam past the vessel on Saturday afternoon in an area north of Brown's Bay, according to Discovery West Adventures part-owner Chelsea Cameron.
Cameron says the tour, which operates out of Campbell River, was in the water and had recently seen some transient orcas believed to be from the T90 family.
About 30 minutes later, the tour spotted the pod of dolphins. The tour had expected to just view the dolphins from an appropriate distance, until they realized that the "orcas caught up" with them, according to Cameron.
"We didn't actually see them until the dolphins starting swimming at us," she said.
The dolphin pod was swimming to escape the orcas, according to Cameron.
She notes that the orca family, the T90s, are "known dolphin killers" who sometimes prey on white-sided dolphins, which are commonly found in the area during the summer.
Shortly after the video was taken, passengers also saw an adult male orca toss a dolphin about 15 feet into the air, says Cameron.
On its social media page, Discovery West called the encounter a "once in a lifetime show."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.