Trapped Killer Whales Escape Ice Off Japan's Hokkaido Coast

A pod of killer whales trapped in drift ice off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, has apparently safely escaped, according to officials. After concerns were raised by environmental groups, town officials observed about a dozen orcas in a tiny gap surrounded by drift ice, but later saw that the pod had moved to the north and eventually disappeared. Footage of the trapped whales prompted pleas for the Japanese government to help, but officials stated that the orcas were not a designated endangered species and were monitoring the situation.