Beached orca saved in dramatic rescue

September 05, 2018 - This orca got stranded on a beach in Nueva Atlantis, Argentina. Orcas can hurl themselves on-shore to grab sea lion pups. This stranding was likely a result of a miscalculated attempt at hunting. Without human intervention, orcas' organs will collapse under the strength of gravity’s pull on land. They can also drown if high tide covers their blowhole. Luckily, an Argentine rescue team was able to keep the blowhole above water. The orca reportedly weighed four tons and the rescue lasted for 20 hours. An emotional celebration ensued when the orca was able to return to the sea.