It’s somewhat common to see a dolphin swimming in the sea, but have you ever seen a “dolphin stampede?”
Just off the coast of Dana Point in Southern California, visitors and marine enthusiasts watched as the mammals took over the ocean.
In the video published by Storyful on Dec. 26, a pod of around 5,000 dolphins were captured swimming next to each other.
Dana Point, where the footage was filmed, was crowned the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world in 2019, according to Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari.
“When they explained the criteria, I said we’re the perfect location,” Gisele Anderson, who operates Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari with her husband, told the Orange County Register. “We have history, education, saving of animals. We’re really excited because now Dana Point has set the bar.”
Watch rare dolphin stampede in Southern California
Dolphin stampedes typically occur when hundreds − and sometimes thousands − of dolphins leap in and out of the water in one direction, according to Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari.
In the video, the majestic mammals gave onlookers quite a show as they leapt out of the water.
“Witnesses described the scene as both exhilarating and humbling, with dolphins leaping in unison and gliding effortlessly through the waters off Southern California,” the tour agency told Storyful.
The tour agency has captured many dolphin stampedes in recent years on their YouTube page.
“Dana Point has always been home to the dolphin stampede,” Anderson told Storyful. “Seeing these dolphins in their own habitat, free and wild, racing through the water is heart stopping and thrilling. So glad our passenger, Loriannah Hespe, was able to capture this moment.”
Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari shares they are not sure why dolphin stampedes happen, but seeing this in person is truly spectacular.
“We are uncertain as to why these animals may so randomly do this, but it is no doubt a once in a lifetime opportunity to encounter such an escapade” the tour agency said on its website.
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, food recalls, health, lottery, and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads, and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.