50+ false killer whales prey on humpback whales near Kenting

50+ false killer whales prey on humpback whales near Kenting

2025-04-01

On Monday afternoon, two large pods of false killer whales—a type of dolphin and an apex predator—preyed on two humpback whales in the same vicinity just off the coast of Kenting. The magnificent scene left tourists and water leisure operators awe-struck. A biology professor and cetacean expert also exclaimed in excitement when he saw the footage, saying it’s rare to see the dolphins going after a humpback whale, let alone two.

A commotion on the waters off Kenting comes from whale watchers when they spot a humpback whale.

The humpback whale spouts and flaps its tail, creating huge splatters and delighting tourists. Meanwhile, a pod of false killer whales—a type of dolphin—encircles the humpback whale and refuses to leave the whale alone.

Voice of Mr. Chu
Ship captain
It looks like they’re preying on the whale, because the whale seems not to be too energetic. Usually when a greater number of dolphins come close to a whale, the whale will flap its tail, perhaps to send them off.

Meanwhile, a diver who spotted a false killer whale recorded a video footage of the animal, which also clearly captured its whistling on the prowl.

Wang Hao-veng
Professor of Life Sciences, NCKU
There were two pods of false killer whales, and adding them all up, there were a little over 50. There were also two humpback whales. The dolphins separated the two and have chosen them as prey.

The footage of the hunting dolphins was taken in the waters just a stone’s throw off the shore between Kenting’s South Bay and Houbihu. Everyone who witnessed the scene, including several water leisure operators, all recorded it in excitement.

Wang Hao-veng
Professor of Life Sciences, NCKU
It’s my first time to see something like this. My heart was racing in excitement, yeah. The main reason being it really is rare to witness a scene of preying in nature.

Although some may feel nervous for the humpback whales, the professor who commented on the footage reminds the public that there’s no need to interfere when nature takes its course.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Taiwan #台灣 #Kenting #墾丁 #whales #鯨魚 #WhaleWatching #賞鯨 #NatureIsAwesome

墾丁南灣外海"大翅鯨"現蹤! 疑遭成群偽虎鯨包圍攻擊

2025-04-01

昨天下午，在墾丁南灣和後壁湖海域之間，出現兩隻超大的大翅鯨，以及成群的偽虎鯨，不少潛水業者和遊客都目擊到這一幕，興奮的錄下畫面。不過，專家看了影片之後表示，這群大翅鯨遭偽虎鯨包圍攻擊，偽虎鯨本來就有獵捕大型魚類的習性，但攻擊大翅鯨並不常見。

墾丁海域上一陣騷動，不少遊客都目擊到大翅鯨現身。

大翅鯨不時噴水，或是拍打尾鰭，濺起巨大水花，遊客驚喜連連，但仔細看，在牠的身邊，卻還有一群偽虎鯨，一直在旁邊打轉，不肯離開。

[[聲源:目擊船長朱先生]]
“好像在圍攻牠，因為鯨魚看起來活力不高，如果海豚靠近鯨魚多一點的時候，鯨魚都會拍尾巴，可能就是要把牠們趕走吧”

另一邊有潛水客潛入水中拍攝，清楚的錄到偽虎鯨攻擊時發出的聲音。

[[成大鯨豚中心教授王浩文]]
“有2群偽虎鯨，這些偽虎鯨加起來，總共有50幾隻。然後有兩隻大翅鯨，(偽虎鯨)把兩隻給沖散了，然後把牠選定為可能潛在的捕獵目標”

拍攝到偽虎鯨包圍攻擊大翅鯨的地點，就在墾丁南灣到後壁湖之間海域，距離岸邊不遠，載著遊客去潛水的船隻，以及水上摩托車業者都第一現場直擊，興奮的錄下畫面。

[[成大鯨豚中心教授王浩文]]
“我是第一次(見)，整個人血脈奔騰啊，對啊，最主要是因為其實這種大自然掠食的狀態，你能夠遇到是少之又少”

雖然大翅鯨遭到攻擊，但專家表示，這是大自然的自然現象，人類不必過度介入。

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China on the first day of April conducted another round of military drills that could be likened to “Joint Sword 2025 A.” The exercises were similar in nature to the two Joint Sword exercises last year that had the PLA cross the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Only this time, the PLA did not give the exercise a moniker that would’ve been a hint to other countries in the region. The PLA and Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered restricted waters near Matsu. The defense ministry held a press conference in the afternoon to condemn the PLA. Let’s hear more from Taiwan’s officials.

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There were 13 vessels belonging to the PLA forces, and 4 vessels from their coast guard. The Shandong carrier fleet was at around 220 nautical miles southeast of Eluanbi. There were also 71 aircraft—principal and auxiliary war planes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, among which 36 entered our ADIZ.

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At this stage, we will maintain the combat readiness of normal forces to implement response measures, prevent and control the threat of possible blockade by the enemy, as well as any subsequent escalations from exercise to combat.

Karen Kuo
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The Ministry of National Defense says it had a full grasp on the movements, and national security officials are paying close attention to any developments.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Taiwan woman presumed dead in Myanmar earthquake

A Taiwanese woman is believed to have perished in last week’s earthquake in Myanmar, making her the first confirmed Taiwanese death in the disaster. The woman had been trapped under rubble of the Great Wall Hotel Mandalay for more than two days. Though she had initially been able to communicate with her husband through a walkie talkie, by Monday evening, a rescue team announced they could no longer find signs of life. Rescuers are trying to locate her body, which will be cremated before it is transported to Taiwan.

Mr. Lin
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My wife has been confirmed to have perished today. Though it marks the end of her life, it is also a new beginning.

Wearing a white T-shirt and with a pained expression of his face is Mr. Lin, who had been travelling in Myanmar with his wife when the powerful earthquake struck. Though he managed to escape, his wife ended up trapped under the rubble of the Great Wall Hotel Mandalay, making her the first Taiwanese casualty.

Mr. Lin
Husband of victim
I hope my wife’s ashes can be transported back to Taiwan. These few days, I’ve seen the efforts from volunteer groups, digging up rubble with their bare hands. They don’t have equipment, helmets, or face masks. They don’t have anything. We are very lucky in Taiwan.

The Lins had frequently visited Myanmar for charity work related to orphans. This time around, they had traveled to the country as a group totaling nine people. Seven of them had already left the country before the Lins, who had stayed behind to get acupuncture treatment only to get caught in the quake.

Hsiao Kuang-wei
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We have been informed by relatives of the victim that rescue teams have reported that there are no signs of life at the scene. We will assist the family with any necessary arrangements.

Officials from Taiwan’s representative office in Myanmar have arrived in Mandalay to offer condolences and assistance to the victim’s husband. Mr. Lin appears to be in good health and spirits, and says he hopes to soon be reunited with his wife.

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The rescue team brought rescue dogs and searched for signs of life, but by the time it was evening, they reported they found none. Officials from Taiwan’s representative office have arrived and are coordinating efforts to continue searching for her body. There is still a possibility that she is alive.

After a long history of charity work in Myanmar, the couple’s travels together came to an abrupt end last week.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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The image of a thumbtack found in a bowl of grass jelly has shocked the internet, leaving many people wondering how the object could’ve ended up in the dessert.

Shocked local
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We may come back another day, but then we won’t notify them in advance.

Even if the pin accidentally fell into the jelly during cooking, its presence in the served meal has raised uproar. If swallowed, the thumbtack could have caused serious medical problems. Officials say they’ll conduct inspections at unspecified times.

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After receiving the report, the bureau immediately dispatched staff to inspect the restaurant’s environment and quality control procedures. If shortcomings are found, the business will be required to make improvements within a specific time frame.

Health officials say they will try to determine how the pin ended up in the grass jelly. The business will then be required to make the necessary improvements ahead of a future inspection.

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From crystal-clear waters to emerald green mountains, Taiwan’s diverse landscapes showcase its unique beauty. The Tourism Administration is working with each city and county to showcase 100 of Taiwan’s unique tourist destinations, promoting different regions each month.

Chou Yung-hui
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Through her music, singer Sandy HXM takes the audience on a journey around Taiwan, visiting famous sights and introducing hidden destinations. In April, the spotlight turns to Lienchiang and Miaoli counties. Tourists can admire Matsu’s bioluminescent phenomenon known as blue tears or journey to the Nangan Matsu Temple. During summer vacation, there will also be concerts, a youth island carnival, and exciting survival games.

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As flowers bloom with spring’s arrival, the tung blossom festival will begin in Miaoli. Anyone can join this romantic festival, experiencing the beauty of Taiwan.

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Clever macaques are always finding new ways to get into farmers’ orchards to feast on stolen crops. But Kaohsiung’s Agriculture Bureau has found that electric fences keep monkeys out nearly 100% of the time. So far, electric fences have been installed on 58 sites, with very promising results. The bureau is offering subsidies to encourage more farmers to install electric fences to protect their crops.

This fence may look ordinary, but the warning sign indicates that high voltage runs through it. The Kaohsiung City Government is promoting electric fences like this, designed to keep out the very monkeys shown on the warning sign.

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We have already subsidized 58 areas, covering 95 hectares. Applications are already open for this year’s electric fence subsidy. The government can subsidize three-quarters of the cost, and farmers need only handle the remaining quarter. At most the subsidy can cover two hectares, and its maximum amount is NT$230,000.

The government hopes that these successful cases will encourage more farmers to apply for the subsidy, preventing agricultural loses and ensuring that farmers’ hard work pays off with fruitful harvests.

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