GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in 
tags: gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua, Orca, killer whales, Orcinus orca, streaming video
This gripping video details the real-life story of a gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua, being chased by a pod of hungry orcas, Orcinus orca, in Antarctica [5:01].
The submitter, Antarctica. SRSLY. writes: This has got to be one very, very relieved penguin! Probably thinking something along the lines of "I don't know if these strange creatures in the black rubber iceberg will eat me, but I KNOW the things in the water will eat me!"
This video was given to me by the chef at Vernadsky, the Ukrainian research station about 90 miles south of where I'm currently living (Palmer Station, Antarctica).
Life Science
Education & Careers
Comments
Cool video, but who gets the idea to add stupid music to something like this?
Posted by: Oxter | November 18, 2008 10:38 AM
"C'mon guys, throw the penguin back. What are you, class traitors?"
Posted by: phisrow | November 18, 2008 11:13 AM
Hey, orcas have babies, too, you know.
Plus, those scientists just interfered with evolution! Can't they lose their Evil Darwinist Conspiracy Party cards for that?
Posted by: The Ridger | November 18, 2008 6:50 PM
The existence of the video proves it didn't happen but I was half expecting the whales to flip the boat to get to the penguin. The whales seemed to understand that their prey was on the boat he/she hadn't just disappeared. Perhaps they have more restraint than us humans.
I didn't see any of the people in exposure suits. Which means that if they were dunked and failed to get out or get help they would be incapacitated in a very few minutes and dead from hypothermia shortly after that. Then there is always the chance the whales would nibble on them.
That said the penguin is mighty cute. Even though the whales are doing the whole 'circle of life' thing inviting the little guy to lunch I'm still glad the penguin got away, even if just for a time.
Posted by: Art | November 19, 2008 1:14 AM