‘We were totally surrounded’: Super pod of 1,500 dolphins captured on drone video | FOX 35 Orlando

‘We were totally surrounded’: Super pod of 1,500 dolphins captured on drone video

A massive, mile-long group of more than 1,500 dolphins was captured on camera last week swimming through Carmel Bay on California's central coast, creating what is known as a "super pod."

Using a drone, the video was captured by Evan Brodsky, a captain with the Monterey Bay Whale Watch.

‘Super pod’ of dolphins captured on video

What they're saying:

The team didn’t initially grasp the sheer size of the super pod that appeared, thinking there were only several hundred dolphins.

"The drone definitely helped us get a much better view," Brodsky told FOX Television Stations. "We put the drone up and discovered what we actually had with us."

He added, "It was just really breathtaking."

A rare super pod of over 1,500 dolphins was filmed on California’s central coast, creating an unforgettable sight for whale watchers and marine biologists. (Credit: Captain Evan Brodsky of Monterey Bay Whale Watch)

Aboard a 20-foot inflatable boat, Brodsky and a small team, who were out searching for gray whales, watched as the dolphins jumped out of the bay. 

"We were totally surrounded by dolphins and they were very active. They were in a big social gathering, so they were jumping out of the water," Colleen Talty, a captain and marine biologist who was also on the trip to track the annual migration of Gray Whales, shared. "It was a really magical experience."

Rarity of dolphin ‘super pod’

What we know:

Talty noted that sightings of Risso's dolphins, particularly in such large groups, are quite rare.

"It's not very common to see so many," she said, explaining, "It’s the the most common species of dolphin that we can see here, but such a large number is pretty amazing, especially compared to other areas in the world." 

According to Talty, the Monterey coastline is a particularly ideal location to spot the dolphins because they prefer extremely deep water. 

Risso’s dolphins typically travel in groups of only 10 to 30 animals, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This type of dolphin with its stocky body and bulbous head can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds and reach up to 13 feet long.

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"It was really amazing to see," Brodsky continued. "It's definitely quite a sight that I'll definitely remember for a long time."

The Montery Bay Whale Watch offers whale watching tours and day trips for whale enthusiasts in Monterey Bay, led by Marine Biologists. The tours focus on data collection, education and conservation of the wildlife in Montery Bay. You can learn more here.

"I honestly hope to inspire somebody to actually go see these dolphins in the wild for free in their natural habitat where they belong," Brodsky added. "I actually love all animals and animal rights, and keeping them in their natural habitat is a big thing for me, and I really want to share that with the world."

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