Fishermen Encounter Orca Off Brazil's Coast

Off the coast of Caiçara do Norte in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, fishermen Francisco Borges da Silva and Lenivaldo de Lima had an unexpected encounter. While fishing about 50 miles from shore, they spotted an orca swimming near their boat. "I saw only the head of the fish [orca] next to the edge of the boat, rising. Then he came and said there was a whale following us," Francisco recalled. The orca stayed with them for over an hour. "It was so close, we could have touched it," said Francisco. The Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca confirmed the sighting, explaining that while unusual, orcas are occasionally seen in the area. This rare encounter highlights the rich marine biodiversity of the region and the unpredictable nature of wildlife.