Seal escapes orca chase by jumping onto photographer’s boat

A dramatic wildlife encounter unfolded near Seattle when a seal being hunted by a pod of orcas survived by climbing onto a photographer’s boat.

Charvet Drucker, an amateur wildlife photographer, was out on a 20-foot rental boat in the Salish Sea, between Camano and Whidbey islands, when she spotted a group of at least eight killer whales. Their synchronized movements and forceful tail slaps made it clear they were in hunting mode.

Through her telephoto lens, Drucker noticed a harbor seal frantically trying to escape. One of her photos shows the seal airborne above a swirl of orcas thrashing the water — a moment she believed marked the end for the animal.

As the whales drew closer to the boat, Drucker and her friends realized the chase wasn’t over. Following wildlife boating rules, they had already shut off their engine to avoid disturbing or harming the whales. The seal then darted toward the boat and pulled itself onto the rear swim platform near the engine, using it as a last-second lifeline.