Transient Orca Hunting
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whale in Puget Sound on May 31, 2021
Justine Buckmaster, Lynnwood, Washington
June is Orca Awareness Month. Orca as apex predators are important in the ecosystem and they are iconic to many of us culturally that live here in British Columbia. Consider ways to help promote their protection and conservation, especially the Southern Resident Orca population which has declined in recent years to approximately 75 individuals.
Here in British Columbia, there are three types of Orca. One type are Transient Orca that feed on seals, sea lions, dolphins, and porpoises. These Orca hunt with stealth and often approach their prey from underneath to either stun or catch the prey. Our cover image shows a Transient Orca catching a harbour porpoise in Puget Sound a few weeks ago. The second type of Orca are Resident Orca that feed on fish, mainly salmon. A third type of Orca (called Offshore Orca) are usually found to the west of Vancouver Island out in the ocean and scientists believe they prey on large ocean fish and sharks.
Along with the usual sightings of many Humpback whales in the area, sightings of Grey whales were reported on four seperate occasions at the end of May and in early June. There were many pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins that were observed, with the largest pod numbering around 100 members. Rounding our report is a sighting of Dalls porpoise.
The Federal Government (DFO) 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:
Looking ahead for our annual Dwight Hall fundraising dinner, instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence, is now rescheduled for April 2022. We are confident that by then we will be able to hold a successful event. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated. We thank you greatly for your support!
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Whales and Dolphins BC & WOWs Websites:
We are continuing the process of some major updates to our websites and welcome your comments and feedback.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Live streaming Web Camera YouTube Channel from Powell River has a new mount for better viewing towards Texada – Vancouver Island – Savary and up towards Cortez. Hope you've been seeing the whales.
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?
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2021-011
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat May 29 2021
15:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs,T100s◦ south off Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T099s,T125A,T128,T132,T134,T137◦ heading north in Active Pass. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Tue Jun 01 2021
07:25 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading south three quarters of the way to Rebecca Rocks from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Jun 02 2021
14:16 • Biggs Orca in Deep Bay, Baynes Sound. ▫ Second Hand
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:17 • Biggs Orca heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
19:04 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north near North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel. 3 small fins, 1 sprout.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
20:12 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south at Big Rock Boat Ramp, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Thu Jun 03 2021
11:30 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south past Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. Small fins.
Tania Skeleton, Texada Island, BC
12:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs,T099s◦ by Comox, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
13:45 • est. 4-6 Biggs Orca breaching; tail slaps, heading north-west crossing the mouth of Departure Bay, Nanaimo Harbour. Viewed with binoculars from Cilaire bluff. Behaviours included tail slapping and breaching. Three whale watching boats in attendance. ▫ Observed from Shore
AG, Nanaimo, BC
Fri Jun 04 2021
10:00 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south out from Oyster River, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
12:28 • Biggs Orca heading south by the fish farm in Chancellor Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jun 05 2021
11:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south near Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ travelled from Whiterock Passage into Calm Channel.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading towards Whale Passage along the shore of Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jun 06 2021
14:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ heading south at Separation Head, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. The Orca were near Kanish Bay earlier in the day.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
19:24 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ heading south just past Campbell River Ferry Terminal, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
20:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ heading south off We Wai Kai Village at Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading south at Cape Mudge
Sun, 6 Jun 2021 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading south at Cape Mudge
Sun, 6 Jun 2021 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
20:27 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north past Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
Mon Jun 07 2021
08:15 • Biggs Orca past Grief Point headed for Willingdon Beach, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
08:28 • est. 4 Biggs Orca heading north in front of Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Riley Grantham, Wild Ocean Whale Society
08:34 • 1 Biggs Orca center strait, in front of Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. The orca had a big fin.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Jun 08 2021
11:00 • Biggs Orca heading south at Horn Point, Dent Rapids. Following Pacific White Sided Dolphins.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Wed Jun 09 2021
10:25 • Biggs Orca off Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:20 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south along Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. One big fin and one small fin.
12:23 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ abeam Marina Island shack in the middle of Sutil Channel, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Thu Jun 10 2021
08:00 • est. 10 Biggs Orca heading north drifting past Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. With lots of little ones.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
16:25 • Biggs Orca heading south off North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel.
16:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ heading south in Drew Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Drew Passage
Thu, 10 Jun 2021 – 5 items
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Drew Passage
Thu, 10 Jun 2021 – 5 items
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
16:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south in Calm Channel. ▫ Second Hand
17:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T090s◦ entering Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 11 2021
–:– • Biggs Orca heading east in Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. Earlier this afternoon. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Sat Jun 12 2021
07:41 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca off the south side of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Believe southbound but hard to tell.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
09:35 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125,T128◦ moving quickly on the ebb, heading north in front of Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
10:18 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125,T128◦ heading north at Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:40 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125,T128◦ heading north at No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
14:40 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125,T128◦ heading west at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
14:50 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125,T128◦ approaching Rock Bay Marine Park, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:25 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south at Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Mon Jun 14 2021
08:00 • 3 Biggs Orca milling, in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
08:40 • 3 Biggs Orca milling, in Menzies Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
09:26 • Biggs Orca approaching Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
10:21 • Biggs Orca bucking tide, in Seymour Narrows. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:53 • Biggs Orca heading south off Middle Point, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale
Sun, 6 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Big Animal Encounters
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale
Sun, 6 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Big Animal Encounters
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T125A & T128
Sun, 13 Jun 2021 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T125A & T128
Sun, 13 Jun 2021 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Jun 01 2021
09:00 • 3+ Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. Three were travelling together with one more farther out.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
14:17 • 1 Humpback Whales splashing around, off Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
17:26 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at April Point, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
19:37 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, off Point Holmes, Comox, Georgia Strait. Seen from shore.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Jun 02 2021
16:00 • 1 Humpback Whales on the Powell River side just north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Not staying long on the surface. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:17 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, north of Rebecca Rocks.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
19:41 • 5 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ out from Baker Passage at the bottom of Sutil Channel. Nick travelling with a friend and another group of three.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Thu Jun 03 2021
07:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-east off the boat launch at Willow Point, south of Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Saw back view only. Taking shallow dives. ▫ Observed from Shore
John Griswold, Campbell River, BC
07:11 • 1 Humpback Whales between Willow Point and Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:34 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ foraging, at Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale
Thu, 3 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Erick Kuer, Comox, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale
Thu, 3 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Erick Kuer, Comox, BC
Sat Jun 05 2021
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at Copper Bluffs on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:02 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading north off Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
16:44 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ back and forth; foraging, off Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
20:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jun 07 2021
10:19 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ foraging, off Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:46 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jun 08 2021
09:35 • 4 Humpback Whales spread out, between Yorke Island and Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
21:44 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south through Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Esther Hollink, Brown’s Bay Resort
Wed Jun 09 2021
14:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
Peter Murray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Jun 10 2021
15:49 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west in Race Passage, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Jun 12 2021
11:40 • 1 Humpback Whales tight to Toba Mountain, aiming at Sonora Island, Raza Passage.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jun 14 2021
16:45 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-west off the west side of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
SW, Powell River, BC
Tue Jun 15 2021
06:16 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:50 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, in front of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
15:10 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ at Browns Bay.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, Lorax, in Seymour Narrows
Sun, 13 Jun 2021 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, Lorax, in Seymour Narrows
Sun, 13 Jun 2021 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
GREY WHALES
Sat May 29 2021
13:30 • 1 Grey Whales heading north at Horn Point headed up towards Cordero Channel, Dent Rapids. Calf is on its own. Very shy.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Sun May 30 2021
15:50 • 1 Grey Whales at Tiber Bay, Lewis Channel. Very small whale. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Fri Jun 04 2021
14:37 • 1 Grey Whales off Bjerre Rock heading for Discovery Passage, Okisollo Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jun 08 2021
09:35 • 1 Grey Whales heading west by Eve River, Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Jun 02 2021
20:15 • 4 PWS Dolphins milling, mid-channel Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Accross from Fogdukkers Coffee.
Chelsea Cameron, Discovery West Adventures
Mon Jun 07 2021
12:30 • PWS Dolphins between Johns Point and Frederick Arm, Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Jun 08 2021
10:00 • PWS Dolphins heading south at Horn Point, Dent Rapids. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:45 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading south in Drew Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Wed Jun 09 2021
10:00 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins off Johns Point, East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Thu Jun 10 2021
12:05 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins at Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
16:05 • PWS Dolphins heading east of Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait. Small pod.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Jun 11 2021
09:30 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading west from Johns Point towards Chatham Point, Nodales Channel.
10:30 • PWS Dolphins bucking tide and spread out in Dent Rapids.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue Jun 15 2021
14:46 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins near Granite Bay off Quadra Island, Kanish Bay.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin
Fri, 4 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin
Fri, 4 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALLS PORPOISE
Sat Jun 12 2021
15:35 • Dalls Porpoise playing, at Tugboat Passage, Dent Rapids.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls Porpoise
Sun, 13 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Dalls Porpoise
Dalls Porpoise
Sun, 13 Jun 2021 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES UNSURE
Sun Jun 06 2021
17:48 • Species Unsure heading east in Race Passage, Johnstone Strait.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CTV News
VICTORIA — An endangered North Pacific Right Whale was spotted in the waters off Haida Gwaii for only the fourth time in roughly 70 years, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
The federal government’s online profile of the species says fewer than 50 North Pacific Right Whales are expected to live off the coast of Canada, in the southeastern portion of the Bering Sea – and overall, fewer than 250 adult whales of the species are expected to be alive today….
read on
Chek News
A Vancouver Island Whale Watch crew set out on a search Monday [May 31], worried for a humpback mother and her calf that they last saw Saturday off Nanaimo’s Neck Point….
read on
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SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
GoodNewsNetwork
Off the coast of New Zealand, a group of marine biologists has discovered a mother bottlenose dolphin that had adopted a baby pilot whale. The Kiwi-based Far Out Ocean Research Collective discovered the mammals sailing in the Bay of Islands in Northern New Zealand, and has now documented the pair on two separate occasions five weeks apart….
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Travel Pulse
Twice a year, a pod of 23 orca whales makes its way back to the Valdés Peninsula, located in Patagonia, Argentina, to hunt for sea lions in a unique, intentional beaching spectacle that only occurs in this region of the world….
read on
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Civil Beat (Hawaii)
For several decades, boat tours, retreat groups and beachgoers have enjoyed swimming near Hawaii’s spinner dolphins. The animals reliably return each morning to the same shallow, sandy bays near shore to rest after spending their nights foraging for food in a dolphin ritual that’s unique to the islands, researchers say.
That up-close access might soon end, however, amid community outcry that the crowds in the water have grown too big in recent years and have overwhelmed the spinner pods, chronically disrupting their rest cycles and jeopardizing the population’s long-term survival….
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