VIDEO: Trapped 12 orcas, killer whales finally escape from drift ice near Japan

A group of about twelve orcas or killer whales who were ensnared in drift ice off the northern island of Japan appear to have made a successful escape, as per recent information by the authorities.

A fisherman discovered the stranded orcas earlier this week, approximately one km off the coast of Hokkaido, according to BBC.

The animals were seen in close quarters and poking their heads above the water to breathe in drone footage.

Officials responded to that by sending representatives to the coastal town to keep an eye on the whales.

Additionally, the video was broadcast on Japanese TV, which sparked widespread public outcry for government support this week and compassion for the animals.

An environmental group even petitioned the Japanese government to release the animals that were trapped by using an icebreaker.

However, officials responded on Wednesday, stating that it seems the whales had relocated out of the area based on their most recent observation expedition.

"We believe they were able to escape safely," a local official in the seaside town of Rausu said.

They hypothesised that the whales might have escaped through cracks in the ice.

Younger orcas from the pod were among those captured on camera, and it looked as though they were bleeding near their jaws from their failed attempts to break free.

Orcas must surface every few minutes to breathe, unlike other huge whales, according to accounts in the Japanese media.