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Tourists On Dinghy Save Penguin From Being Eaten By Killer Whale

Tourists On Dinghy Save Penguin From Being Eaten By Killer Whale

It had a very lucky escape

Amelia Ward

Amelia Ward

A clever penguin managed to escape being eaten by a pod of hungry killer whales by taking refuge on a dinghy full of tourists - much to their delight. Watch the moment here:

The creature could be seen jumping in and out of the water in a dramatic high speed chase.

With the animals circling around the tour boat, the dramatic scene unfolded right before their eyes, before the penguin managed to fling itself onboard the boat, standing proudly among the holidaymakers.

Travel blogger Matt Karsten and his wife Anna, 32, were taking a tour through some icebergs in the Gerlache Strait, Antarctica, when the large group of orcas swam up to their Zodiac boat.

Expert Vagabond/Kennedy News

The predators had already spotted the gentoo penguin swimming nearby and, hoping to have a quick snack, decided to chase after the bird.

They could be seen darting between the tourist boats as their target tried to escape.

Suddenly, the crafty penguin tries to get on to one of the boats but lands just short, bouncing off the side of the boat and back into the sea.

A few seconds afterwards, the penguin makes it over the boat, helped to safety by the passengers, with a crowd cheering.

Expert Vagabond/Kennedy News

Matt, 40, said: "It was crazy to see in person. It was like watching a National Geographic episode on location. I imagine the penguin was very relieved to get away.

"We were heading out for a scenic Zodiac cruise between icebergs when a large pod of orcas showed up playing in the water besides us.

"They swam right up to the camera and said hello. Suddenly the orcas started chasing a gentoo penguin trying to eat it.

"Back and forth they went with the penguin swimming fast with the orcas on its trail. Eventually the poor penguin tried to jump into a nearby zodiac boat.

Expert Vagabond/Kennedy News

"The penguin failed at first, falling back into the water, but then managed on the second attempt.

"The orcas did follow the zodiac boat for a while. They did give up in the end leaving the penguin safe with his new friends.

"After cruising for a little bit, the penguin said goodbye to the boat and hopped back into the icy water."

Matt - who is known as the Expert Vagabond - has been travelling around the world visiting more than 50 countries since 2010 and is currently based in Yucatan, Mexico, after the birth of his second child.

Featured Image Credit: Expert Vagabond/Kennedy News

Topics: Animals