What are Bigg’s Orca?
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
There is no typo in our title. Yes, Orca are big, such as the adult males which can reach lengths of 8-9 meters. However, “Bigg’s Orca” is a name that refers to the Transient Orca and the name Bigg is used to honour a biologist named Michael Bigg who worked for DFO in the 1970’s. He studied Orca and pioneered photo-identification techniques which helped his research in determining the population size of Orca. He was very thorough in his data collection, which helped him determine Orca families and to create Orca lineages. Through his studies, he determined there were two distinct eco-types of Orca, the “Resident” (fish-eating) Orca and the “Transient” (marine-mammal eating) Orca. Michael Bigg passed away in 1990 but his studies and techniques have had a significant impact on views and research on Orca for many years, not only here in BC but around the world.
Boaters, use caution on the water. 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.
The Federal Government (DFO) has issued the following statement about watching whales in the wild: “To address disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect starting June 1, 2020 in all southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. The Marine Mammal Regulations continue to remain in effect year-round, including maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins OR 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.”
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
COVID-19 Updates:
We've all been hit hard during this pandemic and WOWs greatly appreciates your kind donations helping us maintain our society work. Eco tour and whale watching companies are operating at reduced capacity. As you can see from our reports, they are on the water, providing us with much needed sightings information. You might consider a trip with them during your local 'stay-cation'. Stay safe and healthy. Event schedules will be posted as they become available.
Our yearly Dwight Hall fundraising dinner, instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence, cancelled for 2020, is scheduled for April 24, 2021. We trust that by then we will be able to hold a successful event. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
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Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins accounts. 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 23,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: Teachers can download information as needed for classes. Have you taken our Orca and Humpback Quizzes yet?
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-028
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Sep 14 2020
–:– • 7 Biggs Orca ◦T041s,T109Cs◦ off Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. Two pods together. Small fins observed.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
07:10 • Biggs Orca heading east at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait. Limited visibility due to smoke.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:08 • Biggs Orca heading east, Okisollo Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:21 • Biggs Orca heading east towards the Upper Rapids, Okisollo Channel. ▫ Second Hand/ VHF
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:00 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca heading north at Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait. One big animal. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
17:00 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T018s & T019s – by the old fishing pier, Browns Bay
Mon, 14 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T018s & T019s – by the old fishing pier, Browns Bay
Mon, 14 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Tue Sep 15 2020
15:13 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T101s,T102◦ milling, at Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel. Three big fins and one small fin.
16:00 • Biggs Orca milling, heading south, south of Bullock Bluff towards Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:52 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ at Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel
Tue, 15 Sep 2020 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel
Tue, 15 Sep 2020 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ back and forth, south of Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Sep 16 2020
07:30 • Biggs Orca heading north passing Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
08:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s,T102◦ heading south at Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
08:43 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s,T102◦ angling towards and half way to Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:35 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ milling, one mile off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Marina Island Shack, Sutil Channel
Wed, 16 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Marina Island Shack, Sutil Channel
Wed, 16 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
13:45 • Biggs Orca heading west tight to vi shore above Palmer Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T102◦ taking long dives, close to Read Island, Sutil Channel. T102 is also nearby off the Bretons Islands tail lobbing.
14:27 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T102, T101s◦ moving slowly, heading south by Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading down the centre of Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Sep 17 2020
08:28 • Biggs Orca off Marina Island near Whaletown, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:14 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:28 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ off Elizabeth Island 6-7 knots in Pryce Channel. Plus another group.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:15 • Biggs Orca heading south-west between Double Island and Channel Island, Pryce Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:40 • 10 Biggs Orca ◦T034s,T037s,T101s◦ heading south by Elizabeth Island, Pryce Channel. T102 not with group.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south approaching Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. Other Orca with T101s. ▫ Leaving the Scene
19:00 • Biggs Orca milling now at the top of Lewis Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Lewis Channel
Thu, 17 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Lewis Channel
Thu, 17 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Fri Sep 18 2020
12:00 • Biggs Orca heading north by Coulter Bay towards Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • Biggs Orca heading north, Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait
Fri, 18 Sep 2020 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait
Fri, 18 Sep 2020 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:58 • Biggs Orca near the entrance to Loughborough Inlet. One big fin, rest small fins.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:38 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north, Loughborough Inlet.
14:59 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ heading north off Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. One big fin.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:14 • Biggs Orca bucking tide, heading north in front of Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
15:30 • 4 Biggs Orca off Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south-west, Raza Point, Calm Channel. One big fin.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:15 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T101,T101A,T101B◦ off Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
17:11 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ hunting, off South Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel. Hunting seals.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
17:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading up Rendezvous Islands, Drew Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Sep 19 2020
12:20 • 3 Biggs Orca heading east through Dent Rapids.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
13:29 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ just south of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:20 • Biggs Orca heading south off Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:35 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ bucking tide, heading north, at the north end of We Wai Kai Village, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:55 • Biggs Orca heading south at Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
16:59 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading towards the Penn Islands, along the shoreline on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:04 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading west from Baker Passage towards Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
18:38 • 3 Biggs Orca milling, between Read Island and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Sep 08 2020
20:20 • Humpback Whales breaching, heading north-west at Mouat Bay towards Dick Island, Georgia Strait. Tail lobs for half an hour.
Sandy McCormick, Texada Island, BC
Wed Sep 09 2020
15:00 • 2 Humpback Whales at Mouat Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Sandy McCormick, Texada Island, BC
Mon Sep 14 2020
07:40 • 6 Humpback Whales foraging, off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:25 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, close to Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
10:44 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Viner Point and Twin Bay, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:48 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales doing circles, about a half a nautical mile northeast of the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales along the ferry line near Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:35 • 2 Humpback Whales between Raza Island and Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching in Deer Passage
Mon, 14 Sep 2020 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching in Deer Passage
Mon, 14 Sep 2020 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Sep 15 2020
07:22 • 2 Humpback Whales in the center of Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
07:35 • 1 Humpback Whales near Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
07:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east at Stimpson Reef west of Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
07:46 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
08:15 • 1 Humpback Whales at Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:31 • 3 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:48 • 4 Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel
Tue, 15 Sep 2020 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel
Tue, 15 Sep 2020 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:18 • 3 Humpback Whales by Whiterock Passage, Hoskyn Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:32 • 1 Humpback Whales between Bullock Bluff and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:24 • 2 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. Very active.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Sep 16 2020
07:22 • 2 Humpback Whales on the shoals by Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
07:32 • 4 Humpback Whales just west of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:40 • est. 6+ Humpback Whales around Shewell Island, Knight Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ foraging, heading north-east between Martin Islands and Mink Island, Desolation Sound. Resting between dives. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
JR, Powell River, BC
13:25 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, out front of Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:56 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east 1 mile off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:05 • 2 Humpback Whales at Brettell Point, Toba Inlet.
15:05 • 1 Humpback Whales at Gloucester Point, Pryce Channel.
15:05 • 2 Humpback Whales at Connis Point, Pryce Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:58 • 3 Humpback Whales playing, at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Playing with a sealion.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:00 • est. 2 Humpback Whales at the mouth of Jervis Inlet. Possibly mother-calf pair. Saw probobaly the two same area September 10th. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Sep 17 2020
07:51 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north, south of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. Two pairs of whales.
08:15 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north through Plunger Passage.
08:15 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales at Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east circling behind Connis Point, Pryce Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
09:15 • 3 Humpback Whales in from the Toba Wilderness Lodge at the mouth of Toba Inlet.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:46 • 1 Humpback Whales headed toward Evans Bay between Hill Island and Burdwood Bay, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
10:30 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:32 • 1 Humpback Whales about a mile off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north right on the beach of Read Island, Drew Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
12:45 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Active.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south above Collier Creek, Toba Inlet.
19:30 • Humpback Whales at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Sep 18 2020
07:35 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ taking long dives, at Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
07:45 • Humpback Whales off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:56 • 2 Humpback Whales at the south end of Whale Passage close to Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
09:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south from Browns Bay into Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
10:19 • 2 Humpback Whales off Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
11:59 • 3 Humpback Whales foraging, west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
13:07 • 2 Humpback Whales by Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:23 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales between Rendezvous Islands and Raza Island, Calm Channel.
13:42 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Redonda Bay towards Pryce Channel, Deer Passage. Small whale.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:00 • 4 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0409 Yogi◦ off Double Island, Pryce Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:53 • 2 Humpback Whales between Sentry Shoal and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:09 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Whale Passage, Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Fairly active.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
16:45 • 2 Humpback Whales inside the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:43 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching at the entrance to Von Donop Inlet.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Sep 19 2020
07:22 • Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Humpbacks seen interacting with sea lions.
08:15 • 2 Humpback Whales at the top of Lewis Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:15 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north towards Hill Island, on the side of Burdwood Bay, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, 1.5 miles SE off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:40 • Humpback Whales in front of Burdwood Bay, heading towards Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
17:25 • 2 Humpback Whales on the north side of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
18:29 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:42 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, a couple of miles north of Plunger Passage, close to shore at Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
19:26 • Humpback Whales trumpeting, off Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback surfacing near Toba Inlet
Tue, 15 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback surfacing near Toba Inlet
Tue, 15 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Sep 14 2020
10:00 • PWS Dolphins heading north off Thurston Bay, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. A large pod of lags.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed Sep 16 2020
08:40 • PWS Dolphins around Shewell Island, Knight Inlet. Large group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:40 • PWS Dolphins off Earl Ledge, Johnstone Strait. Small pod.
13:30 • PWS Dolphins off Ripple Shoal, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
17:55 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins playing, at Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Sep 17 2020
10:12 • PWS Dolphins heading north passing Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
15:30 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins milling, just south of Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Sat Sep 19 2020
10:20 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
14:30 • PWS Dolphins heading north above Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Very large pod seen. Were originally heading south but switched direction. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
16:28 • PWS Dolphins moving slowly, back and forth, on the Vancouver Island side below 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALLS PORPOISE
Mon Sep 14 2020
10:15 • Dalls Porpoise off Johns Point, East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed Sep 16 2020
–:– • Dalls Porpoise in Nodales Channel. 3 or 4 groups observed during the afternoon.
13:00 • est. 10 Dalls Porpoise at Ritchie Bros Salmon Ranch, Stuart Island, Arran Rapids.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls Porpoise zooming around!
Sat, 19 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls Porpoise zooming around!
Sat, 19 Sep 2020 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Sep 15 2020
12:37 • 4 Harbour Porpoise in Burdwood Bay on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Sep 16 2020
10:00 • est. 8-10 Harbour Porpoise foraging, off Bliss Landing north of Lund, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
JR, Powell River, BC
11:40 • Harbour Porpoise in Felix Bay, Call Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CTV News
VICTORIA — The newest southern resident killer whale calf to be born off B.C. has been confirmed as male, according to the Centre for Whale Research.
The calf, J57, was spotted with its mother, J35 – also known as Tahlequah, a southern resident orca that carried her dead calf across the ocean for 17 days in 2018 – near Point Roberts, WA, on Tuesday….
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
ScienceNews
To break the record for longest dive by a marine mammal, take a deep breath and jump in the water. Then don’t breathe in again for almost four hours.
Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) are master divers (SN: 08/21/18). The creatures not only hold the record for deepest plunge by a marine mammal – measuring nearly 3,000 meters – but also for the longest dives….
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Science News for Students
All whales have one or two blowholes on top of their heads. This organ started out as a nostril-like feature at the tips of the snouts of whales that lived millions of years ago. Over time, those nostrils slowly moved backwards to the top of a whale’s head. This allowed the animals to breathe by skimming the surface of the water. Scientists had thought this change in position, plus a few other adaptations, evolved to keep seawater from entering the whales’ respiratory tracts. But no more.
One team has just shown for the first time that seawater enters whale blowholes….
read on
BBC
Since Monday, hundreds of long-finned pilot whales have been found beached on Tasmania’s west coast. Rescuers had managed to save 50 by late on Wednesday, and they were trying to help the remaining estimated 30 whales. Tasmanian government officials said the rescue effort would continue “as long as there are live animals”….
read on
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