Dolphin Stranding off Powell River
Cover Image:
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Stranding and Rescue
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
On Monday, March 16th, Transient Orca chased some Pacific White-Sided dolphins close to shore near Powell River. The dolphins remained in shallow waters for some time trying to wait out the Transient Orca nearby and were eventually caught behind an old fishing trap as the tide went out. When the tide was really low, the dolphins were helped by local volunteers that walked into the water and helped to move the dolphins back to open water with the use of tarps. The dolphins were able to swim away unharmed and they appeared very aware of which direction to travel to distance themselves from the Transient Orca.
During the past two weeks, over 65% of the reports received were sightings of Transient Orca. In addition to the event off Powell River, Transient Orca were also observed hunting on at least two other occasions at different locations. There were a few sightings of Humpback whales and surprisingly, sightings of Grey whales were reported off the Miracle Beach/Oyster River area for a number of days. It is unclear whether if there are multiple Grey whales at that location or the same one remainig there extensively. There were a number of Pacific White-Sided dolphin pods observed with the largest pod numbering around 100 members. Rounding our report are a few sightings of Dall’s porpoise and one of Harbour porpoise.
Boaters, please use caution on the water. Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Southern Resident Orca in critical habitats and for other types of Orca, laws require boats to remain at least 200-m away from them. For other species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, boats must keep a minimum distance of 100-m away from them but the minimum distance changes to 200-m if there is a calf OR if the Cetaceans are resting. Remember N.E.W.S. when you see a whale, meaning put your boat in NEUTRAL, ENJOY the view, WAIT till the whales are at a fair distance, and then SLOWLY leave the scene.
WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
Note from our Founder:
With the COVID-19 outbreak all of our presentations and workshops that had been scheduled this Spring, and potentially longer, have been cancelled until further notice. Updated schedules will be posted as they become available.
Our yearly Dwight Hall fundraising dinner has already been rescheduled to October 3, 2020 in the hopes that, at that time, we can generate the funds we need to enable us to continue. This fundraiser has been instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
We are all being hit hard in unfamiliar territory, and can only hope this will pass quickly.
In the meantime, the whales, dolphins and porpoise are not aware of our land based predicament and continue their lives in infettered bliss. Please continue to report your sightings to us as our online volunteers continue to do a great job to ensure we can publish our Sightings Reports and Maps.
Stay safe and keep well! Susan MacKay
Instagram and Twitter:
We are pleased to announce that we now have active Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins accounts. Please follow us for regular updates and photos.
Coming Soon:
Our New Archive Dataset Interface is in the works, but we don't want to hold up any ongoing research. To access 21,000+ sightings in our database to November issue #2019-049 in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Have you Marked Your Calendar?:
Our annual Dwight Hall Dinner Event in Powell River has been rescheduled to October 3, 2020. There will be Silent and Live Auctions as well as 50/50 and our ever popular Crack an Egg for prizes. More information and tickets are available on our Wild Ocean Whale website.
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: We continue to update lessons, activities and resources on our website. Teachers can download information as needed for classes. Have you taken our Orca and Humpback Quizzes yet?
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Cetacean Web Camera YouTube Channel is live. We continue live streaming from our Powell River camera.
Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
Our team of online Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your sightings reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
We are in need of a couple of team members who are able and willing to help get our publications ready throughout the Summer months. Training will start in March before the true 'busy' season.
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-005
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Mar 08 2020
–:– • 4 Biggs Orca heading east at the top of Chancellor Channel. One large male and three small fins. Viewed in the afternoon. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon Mar 09 2020
14:43 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca heading north just north of Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:21 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading north in front of Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:30 • Biggs Orca milling, off Whaletown and north of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
16:45 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north, Blind Channel. One large fin, one medium fin, two smaller fins.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
17:11 • 5 Biggs Orca off Marina Island headed towards Mitlenatch Island, Sutil Channel. Four small fins and one very large male.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Tue Mar 10 2020
10:30 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca heading west off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. A couple big fins, 4-5 females.
12:29 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading west between Ripple Point and Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:59 • 5 Biggs Orca heading west inside Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait. One big fin.
18:41 • 5 Biggs Orca heading west to the west of Walkem Islands. Close to the Vancouver Island shoreline.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Mar 11 2020
08:15 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca milling, off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel.
14:35 • Biggs Orca heading south off Shark Spit, Marina Island, Sutil Channel. One big fin observed in pod.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
16:36 • est. 6 Biggs Orca heading south off Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Observed 2 big fins.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Thu Mar 12 2020
14:24 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south halfway between Powell River and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Saw 1 big fin (male).
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
16:30 • Biggs Orca heading north close to Hole in the Wall along the shore of Sonora Island, Calm Channel. Heading for Sonora Resort.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Mar 13 2020
07:20 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south close to the shore of Vancouver Island abeam Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage. At least one big fin seen.
08:10 • Biggs Orca at the entrance of Gowlland Harbour. Numbers and direction unknown; seen from a distance.
08:30 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca entering Seymour Narrows after passing Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:10 • Biggs Orca heading south off Maud Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
09:31 • est. 8 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south by Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
11:25 • Biggs Orca at Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Orca at the mouth of the marina.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
18:10 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading south mid-strait between Harwood Island and Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
19:22 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Mar 15 2020
07:30 • est. 6 Biggs Orca heading north, south of Spilsbury Point on the westside of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:42 • Biggs Orca north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
15:33 • Biggs Orca heading north-west at Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy towards Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:10 • Biggs Orca heading north at Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
18:05 • Biggs Orca ◦T002B Pedder,T060s◦ at Grouse Island, Discovery Passage. Holding in current – more than likely will turn south.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
19:05 • Biggs Orca heading south between Whiskey Point and Cape Mudge Village, Discovery Passage.
19:20 • est. 3-6 Biggs Orca heading north from Gower Point, Gibsons, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon Mar 16 2020
10:21 • est. 6 Biggs Orca heading north near Emmonds Beach and Atrevida Reef, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca Travelling
Mon, 16 Mar 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca Travelling
Mon, 16 Mar 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:10 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading north off Horn Bay, Dent Rapids. All small fins.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:55 • Biggs Orca heading north from Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:13 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs,T090s◦ heading north between Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. One big fin (male) and one calf.
14:42 • Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs,T090s◦ back and forth, off Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Orca have trapped the dolphins in a tide pool.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
15:45 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs,T090s◦ heading north-west off Klanhanie Drive north of Sliammon Sliammon.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
Tue Mar 17 2020
07:00 • 4 Biggs Orca Owen Point just exiting Frederick Arm, Nodales Channel. following the mainland shore.
07:00 • 4 Biggs Orca near Owen Point, Nodales Channel. All small fins. They left Frederick Arm and were following the mainland shore.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:30 • Biggs Orca heading north-west through Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel. -Large- pod. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:35 • Biggs Orca heading north, Point Holmes southeast of the airport at Comox, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:21 • Biggs Orca heading north, Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. They had been travelling up the Texada shore. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Wed Mar 18 2020
08:05 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south, Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Big male.
09:51 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T002B Pedder,T060s◦ heading south, Race Point, Discovery Passage. one big fin in the pod.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:45 • Biggs Orca playing, Bliss Landing, Malaspina Strait. whole pile of whales. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:05 • Biggs Orca ◦T002B Pedder,T060s◦ heading south between Shelter Point and Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
12:13 • Biggs Orca Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait. Large pod. ▫ Second Hand
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
12:23 • Biggs Orca ◦T002B Pedder,T060s◦ heading south, Oyster River, Georgia Strait. Just had a kill. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca near Oyster River
Wed, 18 Mar 2020 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca near Oyster River
Wed, 18 Mar 2020 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:30 • Biggs Orca breaching, Collier Creek, Toba Inlet. Orca were hunting the Dolphins.
15:35 • Biggs Orca heading north from Deer Passage into Pryce Channel. More Orca!.
15:44 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north center strait Mitts Creek, Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
17:00 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ moving slowly, heading south, Atrevida Reef north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
17:00 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs,T090s◦ moving slowly, heading south off Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait. Travelling close in a pack. ▫ Observed from Shore
CC, Powell River, BC
17:47 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ moving quickly, heading south, Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca Enjoying the Sunset
Wed, 18 Mar 2020 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca Enjoying the Sunset
Wed, 18 Mar 2020 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:21 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. one big fin by the hulks breakwater.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
20:14 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south, Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Mar 19 2020
19:20 • 1 Biggs Orca ◦T011A◦ heading south off Miracle Beach Park, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Mar 20 2020
11:44 • Biggs Orca heading south from Penn Islands towards Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca enjoying a beautiful day
Fri, 20 Mar 2020 – 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca enjoying a beautiful day
Fri, 20 Mar 2020 – 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:26 • 7 Biggs Orca ◦T002B Pedder,T060s◦ taking long dives, heading towards Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel. A second big male was also observed in the pod.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:24 • Biggs Orca breaching and hunting, in Hovel Bay, Bute Inlet. Catching a dolphin. Lots of action.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north entering Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca near Bute Inlet
Fri, 20 Mar 2020 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca near Bute Inlet
Fri, 20 Mar 2020 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:00 • 12 Biggs Orca ◦T087,T100s,T101s,T102,T124A2A◦ resting, heading east off Freddie’s Beach aiming towards Clipper Point, Bute Inlet. A steady push up the inlet.
18:47 • Biggs Orca heading north off Shelter Point, Georgia Strait. Headed towards Wilby Shoals.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Sat Mar 21 2020
–:– • Biggs Orca ◦T086As◦ in Comox Harbour. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
14:55 • 3 Biggs Orca off Goose Spit, Comox, Baynes Sound. 3 small fins observed. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sun Mar 22 2020
10:54 • Biggs Orca heading south off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Robyn Doucette, Powell River, BC
11:30 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading north at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. No big fin. ▫ Observed from Shore
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:10 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading south across from Myrtle Point close to the shore of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T040 in Desolation Sound
Sat, 21 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T040 in Desolation Sound
Sat, 21 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T020 in the Salish Sea
Sat, 14 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T020 in the Salish Sea
Sat, 14 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Wed Mar 18 2020
18:45 • est. 10 Orca moving quickly, heading south-east in Active Pass. Taking 3-5 minute dives. In two pods, one with 6-7 members and the second pod with 4 members. ▫ From Ferry
Caleb Harding, Victoria, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca in Active Pass
Wed, 18 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Caleb Harding, Victoria, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca in Active Pass
Wed, 18 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Caleb Harding, Victoria, BC
Sat Mar 21 2020
06:20 • Orca 30-ft off the dock at Blind Channel Resort on the east side of West Thurlow Island, Blind Channel. Orca are headed towards Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Baby Orca Spyhop
Thu, 19 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Baby Orca Spyhop
Thu, 19 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Tail Thrashing Orca
Thu, 19 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Tail Thrashing Orca
Thu, 19 Mar 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Mar 18 2020
08:55 • 2 Humpback Whales Bella Bella – McLoughlin Bay Ferry Terminal, Campbell Island, Lama Passage. Mom and small calf. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
Sun Mar 22 2020
11:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north a few miles south of Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:35 • Humpback Whales heading west at Fittleton Point, Chancellor Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
GREY WHALES
Thu Mar 19 2020
19:20 • 1 Grey Whales milling, off Saratoga Beach, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Mar 20 2020
16:15 • 1 Grey Whales off Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:13 • 1 Grey Whales one mile off Saratoga Beach, Georgia Strait.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Mar 12 2020
09:50 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins milling at the mouth of Phillips Arm.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:00 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins heading south close to the shore of Maurelle Island approaching Whiterock Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Mar 13 2020
07:45 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Mar 15 2020
14:57 • est. 10-20 PWS Dolphins between the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Mon Mar 16 2020
08:51 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading north close to the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
09:24 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
17:13 • est. 16-17 PWS Dolphins in a tide pool off Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Dolphins stranded due to the presence of Transient Orca. First Nations and observers jumped in and got them out by carrying them in tarps while the Ts departed north.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Rescue
Mon, 16 Mar 2020 – 5 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Rescue
Mon, 16 Mar 2020 – 5 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Mar 18 2020
13:30 • PWS Dolphins Collier Creek, Toba Inlet. Orca were hunting the Dolphins.
15:44 • PWS Dolphins heading north center strait Mitts Creek, Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Mar 20 2020
08:33 • est. 8-10 PWS Dolphins heading north close to shore off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
09:45 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins heading east, Arran Rapids. Headed for Bute Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:45 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins in Phillips Arm.
10:45 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins in Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:24 • PWS Dolphins being hunted, in Hovel Bay, Bute Inlet. Transient Orca chasing them.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Community effort to save stranded Pacific white-sided dolphins on March 16, 2020
Mon, 16 Mar 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Community effort to save stranded Pacific white-sided dolphins on March 16, 2020
Mon, 16 Mar 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Mar 11 2020
09:00 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise off Racine Creek, Toba Inlet. Near Racine Falls.
13:45 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise near Racine Creek. Near Racine Falls.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Mar 13 2020
15:20 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise between Gomer Island and Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon Mar 16 2020
11:20 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise between Hall Point and Gomer Island, Dent Rapids.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Fri Mar 20 2020
11:10 • 2 Harbour Porpoise heading north off the south end of Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CBC News
A pod of dolphins trying to escape hunting killer whales needed a little human help after getting stranded in the waters off the Tla’amin First Nation near Powell River two days ago.
Derek Poole spotted the 16 Pacific white-sided dolphins swimming in circles just metres off shore on Monday. He then noticed about seven orcas lying in wait….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
ScienceAlert
In the crystal-clear shallows of Cape Town, South Africa, a dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) was recently filmed attempting to flee an aggressive seal by releasing a ‘smoke bomb’ of dark, ink-like fluid.
As the whale rushes away from its oncoming predator and towards the shore, its wake suddenly becomes clouded with a reddish-brown material straight from its intestine….
read on
The Orange County Register
The paddler cruising through the Port of Los Angeles had an unexpected visitor on Monday, Feb. 24, as a gray whale feeding in the calm waters suddenly popped its head above the surface.
"The gray whale actually saw him and turned," said Erik Combs, captain for Long Beach-based Harbor Breeze Cruises, describing the encounter that took place in front of a boat filled with school kids on a field trip. "You could see the gray whale, he just spy hopped two times next to the paddleboarder, just to follow him a bit to see what he was doing. Then he continued on his own journey."…
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
TuftsNow
It was the summer of 2019, and I was completing my M.S. in Conservation Medicine degree at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. I spent my externship assisting the Alaska Whale Foundation with their ongoing research projects examining the health and behavior of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska.
Whales are among the largest and most intelligent species to inhabit this earth. I have always been drawn to these enigmatic creatures and stunned by their unparalleled beauty….
read on
Mashable
Using suction cups, marine biologists recently attached 30 cameras to minke whales swimming through icy Antarctic waters.
The vivid footage – which aims to improve researchers’ understanding of how the little-known Antarctic minke whales live – shows the mammals swimming beneath icy seas and coming up for air….
read on
EureKAlert
Someday, underwater robots may so closely mimic creatures like fish that they’ll fool not only the real animals themselves but humans as well. That ability could yield information ranging from the health of fish stocks to the location of foreign watercraft.
Such robots would need to be fast, efficient, highly maneuverable, and acoustically stealthy. In other words, they would have to be very much like bottlenose dolphins or killer whales.
“We’re interested in developing the next generation of underwater vehicles so we’re trying to understand how dolphins and whales swim as efficiently as they do,” says Keith W. Moored, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics in Lehigh University’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science….
read on