Killer Whales Trapped In Ice Break Free

According to the mayor's office in Inukjuak, the dozen whales that had been stuck under an ice hole in a remote Quebec village since at least Tuesday are now out of harm's way after the ice floes shifted on Hudson Bay. Prior to the welcome development, the orcas had been coming up for air around a small opening that with the wind's help overnight, created a passageway to the open water six miles away.

The residents of the community had asked the government for help in freeing the whales, believed to be an entire family. The government denied the request, saying on Wednesday that ice breakers were too far away. The village is about 900 miles from Montreal.

The residents posted a video of the whales to demonstrate their struggle to get air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUs7tsgUlj0