Transient Orca Travel A Big Distance!
Cover Image:
Orca blowing at sunset
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
During the past two weeks, the majority of reports we received were sightings of Transient Orca. Many appeared around West Thurlow Island near the east end of Johnstone Strait. Some of the pods of Orca were observed near Campbell River and others near Powell River. A group of Transient Orca that included the T018 and the T019 pods were seen on March 12 passing Saturna Island in the Gulf Islands. On March 13 the next day, the same Orca (T018s/T019s) were observed heading north passing Campbell River. So over 22 hours, these Orca travelled well over 200-km and indicates how quickly Transient can move from one area to another from day to day.
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 throughout 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
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Due to continuing COVID uncertainties, this will be the third year our April fundraising dinner gala will be cancelled. The funds raised at this event have always been instrumental to maintain our programs and online presence. We've tightened our belts, but your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
We thank you greatly for your support!
We thank you greatly for your support!
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2022-005
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Mar 06 2022
–:– • Biggs Orca ◦T099s◦ rubbing; back and forth, by Deep Bay, Baynes Sound. On the beach for an hour or so. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Tue Mar 08 2022
09:40 • 4 Biggs Orca heading west at Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
14:22 • Biggs Orca heading east at Greene Point Rapids.
15:25 • Biggs Orca heading south, Blind Channel. Heading towards Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
17:15 • 6 Biggs Orca feeding, at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Mar 09 2022
–:– • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ along Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
17:12 • est. 5 Biggs Orca heading north off Donkersley Road near Brew Bay, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Possibly 2 males and 3 females. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:20 • 6 Biggs Orca heading north by Armour Road near Myrtle Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Nina Falls, Powell River, BC
17:29 • 6 Biggs Orca leaping, heading north by Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Six small fins. Putting on a show.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
18:02 • Biggs Orca heading west past Grief Point towards Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Mar 10 2022
10:30 • Biggs Orca off Goose Spit at Comox, Baynes Sound. Seen from Curtis Beach. ▫ Observed from Shore
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:47 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
Fri Mar 11 2022
17:31 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca heading north between Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. There was one big male in the pod.
Liz and Ted Douglas, Powell River, BC
Sat Mar 12 2022
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ heading north off East Point, Saturna Island, Boundary Pass. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sun Mar 13 2022
13:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ heading north off Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
13:47 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019s◦ heading north past the Tyee Spit, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Tue Mar 15 2022
08:05 • Biggs Orca heading south past Fittleton Point, Chancellor Channel. There was one big fin, two small fins and one tiny calf in the pod.
18:45 • Biggs Orca in Blind Channel. This was the same pod as earlier today and they were headed towards Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Mar 16 2022
10:20 • Biggs Orca heading east off Humpback Bay, Johnstone Strait.
10:30 • 6 Biggs Orca heading east along Bear Bight close to the shore of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:30 • 6 Biggs Orca heading north at Maud Island heading toward Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:42 • 4 Biggs Orca passing Blind Channel heading toward Cordero Channel. With one young.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
11:45 • Biggs Orca still in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Looks like they got a sea lion.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Mar 17 2022
10:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ at the head of Phillips Arm.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
Sat Mar 19 2022
13:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south in front of Cordero Lodge, northeast of Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel. ▫ Second Hand
15:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ going into Phillips Arm.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:20 • 6 Biggs Orca heading toward Blind Channel after entering Mayne Passage. 2 big fins.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • Biggs Orca in front of Blind Channel Resort on the east side of West Thurlow Island, Blind Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off West Thurlow Island, Blind Channel.
Sat, 19 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off West Thurlow Island, Blind Channel.
Sat, 19 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
17:49 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north mid channel off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Mar 20 2022
13:45 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south past Race Point, Discovery Passage. They were one male and one female.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
16:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ at Mayne Point on East Thurlow Island, Mayne Passage.
17:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ bucking tide, through Greene Point, Cordero Channel. They then went west into Chancellor Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Mar 21 2022
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading west off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
16:44 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ at Edith Point at the west end of East Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. They were headed towards the Knox Bay are.
18:50 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading west at Greene Point, Cordero Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales -T037s, T137s – heading south by Little River, Georgia Strait
Sun, 6 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales -T037s, T137s – heading south by Little River, Georgia Strait
Sun, 6 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T002Cs, T071s – heading south by Quadra Island, Discovery Passage
Sun, 6 Mar 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T002Cs, T071s – heading south by Quadra Island, Discovery Passage
Sun, 6 Mar 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling close to shore
Wed, 9 Mar 2022 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling close to shore
Wed, 9 Mar 2022 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales T102 and friend in transit
Sun, 13 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales T102 and friend in transit
Sun, 13 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T036s, T037As, T099s, T137s – heading south through Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage
Sun, 6 Mar 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T036s, T037As, T099s, T137s – heading south through Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage
Sun, 6 Mar 2022 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Mar 16 2022
10:35 • PWS Dolphins off Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait. Small group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins frolicking!
Thu, 10 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins frolicking!
Thu, 10 Mar 2022 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Mar 16 2022
09:31 • 8 Dalls Porpoise heading south at April Point, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
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