While paddle boarding off a coast in New Zealand, Justin Serville experienced what he describes as a “beautiful exchange of energy” when some whales appeared to take a look at him.
In the video, Serville states to the whales: “Hello beautiful. How are you? Hello beloved.” And, he includes his description that he was tempted to swim with them however he withstood since it’s illegal in New Zealand.
Based on his remarks and response, you think that the orcas were just being curious and possibly a little lively. But if you read the remarks, many people seem to believe that the peak predators had other intentions.
“Like snakes, orcas will extend beside their possible victim to see if they will fit inside them if taken in. These whales were checking to see if they could consume you,” stated one commenter. And, another said: “They actually circling their next meal.”
Obviously, these are just internet comments and there’s no way to tell what the orcas were thinking– if they were saying hi or thinking about eating him– however they do appear curious in the video and there is empirical about orca behavior.
Although there have actually been stories in the past year of orcas attacking ships, according to reports, wild orcas rarely attack human beings. In an interview with Live Science, whale specialist Erich Hoyt explained that orcas typically stay with eating what they matured eating.
“I don’t think a killer whale would ever hunt a human,” Hoyt said. “They are fussy eaters, actually conservative in regards to whatever they gained from their moms and from their pod about what makes up food.”
A paddle boarder explained his encounter with whale as a “beautiful exchange of energy” while his critics state he could’ve been a snack.