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Annually, from March to May and again in October and November, Argentina’s Peninsula Valdés hosts a remarkable wildlife show: the intentional stranding of orcas to prey upon sea lion or elephant seal pups.

Peninsula Valdes is one of only two areas in the world where this technique has been observed. This unique behavior is practiced by just a few resident whales, known as ‘strangers’ along a stretch of coastline in Punta Norte Wildlife Reserve.

To carry out the attacks, orcas wait until 2 hours before and 2 hours after high tide. They swim rapidly towards the shore and use the momentum of the wave to push themselves up onto the beach, where they attempt to snatch a seal pup.

To unbeach themselves, they wait for the next wave and use the power of their bodies to wiggle back into the sea.

Photographers and nature enthusiasts come to look out points along the peninsula in hopes of seeing this unique hunting technique.

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