This is the rare moment a killer whale swims close to the shoreline of a popular Rio de Janeiro beach in Brazil.
At least two orcas were spotted at Sao Conrado Beach in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro last month.
Biologist Jose Lailson of the Rio de Janeiro State University told local media that the pair came close to the coast in search of food.
Orcas feed on fish and rays and there are large numbers of rays congregating off Rio’s beaches at this time of year, according to the biologist.
The Rio de Janeiro city coastline is on one of the orcas’ migratory routes. However, they are rarely spotted so close to the shoreline.
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. They are found in all of the world’s oceans from Antarctic and Arctic regions to tropical seas.
They often travel in pods of up to 40 individuals and are not considered a threat to humans. Overfishing of their prey, pollution and habitat disturbance pose their greatest threats.
The orca swimming at the Brazilian coast in Rio de Janeiro 
The orca swimming at the Brazilian coast in Rio de Janeiro
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Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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