Killers of Eden: The Killer Whales of Twofold Bay by Tom Mead
An amazing story of killer whales is told in the book Killers of Eden by Sydney journalist Tom Mead. For almost a hundred years the same pack of killers returned to Eden, on Twofold Bay, NSW, assisting local fishermen during the winter whaling season. These killers would actually herd whales into the bay, when necessary attracting the attention of the land-based whalemen. As the boats put out from the shore, one killer would lead them to where the rest of the pack had surrounded the whale, working much like sheep dogs do for drovers. After the kill the pack claimed the dead whale's tongue and lips as reward, the fishermen removing the rest of the carcass a few days later.
The killers became a local legend and the fishermen, who knew each one by his individual characteristics, dubbed them with such distinctive names as Stranger and Humpy. Old Tom, the leader, whose skeleton is preserved at Eden, was remarkable for his organising ability.
Three generations of the Davidson family used the friendly killers while whaling in Twofold Bay. When the last one died in 1930 George Davidson went out of business, for he had lost his most valuable asset. Such voluntary co-operation between man and another species for so long a period defies explanation and must be one of the most unusual cases ever recorded.
Format: Paperback | 254 pages
Dimensions (cm): 23 x 15.1 x 1.4 | 366g
Publication Date: 2002
Publisher: Dolphin Books
Publication City/Country: Sydney, Australia
Language: English
Illustrations note: b&w photos
ISBN10: 0958532532
ISBN13: 9780958532532
Condition: Like New
A vintage book that looks new but has been read. Cover has no visible wear. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. Very minimal wear and tear.