Killer Whale Predation on a Leatherback Turtle in the Northeast Pacific

摘要

In November 2001, we observed a herd of killer whales (Orcinus orca)preying upon a leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) off the coast of California.Here we provide details of the event and speculate that oceanic killer whalesmay have less specialized diets than nearshore populations. We also suggest thatkiller whale predation should be considered a factor in the recovery of thiscritically endangered sea turtle.