麻豆社

Humpback whales have been observed preventing attacks by killer whales on other creatures, such as sea lions and seals.

Chris Parson, Professor of Marine Mammal Biology and conservation at George Mason University, Virginia, spoke to 5 live Drive about how the giant mammals may be the most likely contenders for Good Samaritans of the sea. He said: 鈥淲e observed a humpback whale support a seal on its chest while the killer whales came around so they couldn鈥檛 get to the seal, kind of acting like a bodyguard.鈥�

Studies have found that humpbacks sometimes travelled more than a mile to approach killer whales and could spend up to seven hours around them to help prey escape.

鈥淏ecause humpback whales are often hunted by killer whales, I like to think of it as a solidarity for another animal that is being hunted,鈥� added Professor Parson.

This clip is originally from 5 live Drive on Friday 5 August 2016.