2340. Lucky photo © Bruce Goodman 28 January 2022

I was so glad I had my phone with me. I was walking quietly along the beach and this woman was letting her toddler paddle in the ripples at the shoreline. Suddenly, just as I passed, an orca (also known as a killer whale) appeared from nowhere, grabbed the toddler and went CHOMP! The mother went into shock and simply stood there saying “My baby! My baby!” I was so glad I had my phone with me and was able to take a photo. If I hadn’t had such a presence of mind my mates would never have believed me when I told them the story. I walked further along the beach hoping to catch another attack. There were a few parents taking their toddles for a paddle but the orca seemed to have been satisfied with just the one. It might be because orcas are known to attack humans only when they are in captivity. All in all it was a bit disappointing really. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story