Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest members of the dolphin family. They are found in all oceans, from the cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic to tropical seas. Orcas are highly intelligent and social animals, living in stable family groups called pods. They hunt in packs, using their impressive speed, size, and strength to take down large prey such as seals and dolphins. Orcas are apex predators—at the top of their food chain—and play an important role in maintaining balance in marine ecosystems.
Though they have a fearsome reputation, orcas are not typically aggressive toward humans. In fact, they have often been observed assisting human fishermen by driving fish into their nets. However, there have been a handful of attacks on humans by captive orcas; these incidents usually involve aggression directed at trainers during performance shows.
Orcas are among the most endangered marine mammals: populations have declined sharply due to hunting and capture for display in marine parks around the world. Today, there is growing public concern for the welfare of orcas in captivity, which has led to calls for better treatment of these beautiful and intelligent creatures.