‘WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?'
Terrifying moment huge fin is spotted off UK coast sparking fears killer WHALES are lurking close to shores
Watch the video of the moment the fin emerges
THIS is the terrifying moment a huge fin is spotted off the UK coast.
The "enormous" fin was spotted in Cornwall, sparking fears killer whales or large sharks could be lurking close to shore.
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The footage, filmed by St Ives based Bluefin Charters, shows a dark fin cutting through the water behind what appears to be a pod of dolphins.
The other fins are much smaller, with the larger fin towering from the water.
It quickly disappears below the surface.
During the clip, someone can be heard saying: "There it is, look! That's a shark, mate."
READ MORE ABOUT WHALES
After it was posted on Facebook, commenters began speculating what the fin might belong to.
One said: "Looks like a hammerhead dorsal."
Another said: "Look how big the fin is compared to the dolphins in front! Has to be a killer whale!"
A third added: "Looks like an orca fin for sure."
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A fourth said: "What the hell is that? Looks like an orca fin!"
A fifth said: "WTF, whatever it is it's enormous! Killer whale size of that fin."
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One person even referenced 1975 shark movie Jaws, joking: "Gonna need a bigger boat!"
Many whales frequent Cornish waters, with the majority harmless to humans.
These include the Minke whale, as well as Fin whales and Humpback whales.
KILLER WHALES IN UK
However, according to , there are a small group of orca who live in British waters, adding: "You would be lucky to see them!"
They are unmistakable with their black and white pattern and large dorsal fin, and can grow as big as 1.8 metres.
The conservation site adds: "A resident group ranges widely around the west coast of the UK and Ireland.
"A separate population are seasonal visitors to Northern Scotland, particularly the Shetland and Orkney Islands."
The orca is actually the largest member of the dolphin family.
They can live in the icy waters of the poles to the warm waters near the equator - but are most common in the cold, including Antarctica, Norway and Alaska.
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There are no documented reports of orcas intentionally attacking humans in the wild - though there have been cases involving those held in captivity.
Have you ever had an encounter with an orca or shark? Email [email protected]
MOST SAVAGE KILLER WHALE ATTACKS
KILLER whales, despite their name, have been involved in very few recorded attacks on humans - at least in the wild.
But when held in captivity, the majestic creatures can turn violent or even deadly.
On April 20, 1971, SeaWorld PR secretary Annette Eckis was supposed to ride an orca in a bikini for a publicity stunt.
But after a few moments, Annette slid off the creature's back and Shamu seized her leg in her jaws.
She swam around the tank, dragging the screaming woman with her and refusing to release her.
Kasatka, a 30-year-old orca, was said to have been agitated by hearing her calf call out when she yanked Ken Peters and pulled him underwater at the attraction in San Diego, California.
The trainer was held underwater twice by the 5,000lb beast as it grabbed his foot and dived down for less than a minute each time.
Kasatka eventually let him go but he suffered a broken foot and puncture wounds.
The body of 27-year-old Daniel Dukes was discovered covered in scratches and bruises, draped over Tilikum, the largest killer whale in captivity.
Dukes had suffered hypothermia and drowned after he had stayed in the park past opening hours.
It is still uncertain whether he jumped, fell or was pulled by Tilikum into the huge tank.
Dawn Brancheau, 40, a veteran animal trainer, had always dreamed of working at SeaWorld Florida.
But on February 24, 2010, she was tragically killed by an orca in front of horrified tourists.
SeaWorld said that Tilikum, a 26-year-old male, grabbed her by the upper arm, tossed her around in his mouth and pulled her beneath the water
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