Boy photographing jumping orcas
Oceanic beauty or a clever hoax? A series of photos allegedly capturing orcas off the coast of Cape Hatteras has sparked a wave of controversy, prompting an official investigation by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. The photographs were reportedly taken on June 12, 2024, by a 10-year-old boy during a family fishing trip.
Reports suggest that Amiee Dean and her family were enjoying a fishing trip at Cape Hatteras National Seashore when they noticed what they believed to be killer whales about 30 yards from the coast. Amidst the excitement, Dean urged her son, the only non-fishing member of the family, to capture the moment. Dean’s son allegedly produced several pictures of the supposed marine mammals, which he supplied to local and state officials.
Initial attention soon turned to suspicion, however, as the internet community found striking resemblances between the boy’s pictures and a Korean Powerade commercial from 2006 that featured leaping orcas in very similar positions and angles. This sparked debate about the images’ authenticity and instigated an official investigation.
Ocean conservation biologist Victoria Thayer reported that IT departments are presently engaged in validating the legitimacy of the photos. While Thayer confirmed that orcas have been previously documented in North Carolina waters, she did emphasize the rarity of such sightings. The last reported sighting of these majestic creatures near the state’s coast was over a decade ago, in March 2011.
Despite the ongoing public debate and official investigation, no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding the photos’ authenticity. Updates are anticipated upon the completion of the Marine Fisheries’ analysis.
Whether these photographs are genuine captures of a rare oceanic spectacle or simply an elaborate hoax, they have undoubtedly sparked interest and conversation about North Carolina’s rich and often mysterious marine life.