Resident Orca and Transient Orca
Cover Image:
Orca and snowy mountain!
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Over the past few weeks, we received many reports of Orca sightings. More than half of those sightings were Transient Orca, which hunt and eat other marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and dolphins. Resident Orca were also observed; these Orca eat fish such as salmon. Northern Resident Orca were observed in upper Georgia Strait at the end of January and they were near Powell River on January 24 as well as on February 16. Southern Resident Orca were seen off Nanaimo on February 14th. Orca were also observed and reported from Haida Gwai, Ucluelet, and Active Pass off Galiano Island. Orca and other species of Cetaceans are around – they may be just difficult to see due to Winter and the cold conditions we have at this time of year. Keep your open when you are close to the sea and let us know if you come across any whales or dolphins!
As a reminder that if you are boating and out on the water, please be aware of the presence of whales and dolphins. Signs of their presence may include blows of the Cetaceans and other boats stopped or moving slowly in an area. Boats and other water craft (e.g. kayaks) must remain at least 400-meters away from Orca and at least 100-m away from other species. See the full government regulation in the paragraph below.
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay 400-m away and may not position a vessel in the path of killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2025.” For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca OR while viewing any Cetaceans that are resting or with a calf. When viewing whales, dolphins, and porpoises under other circumstances not described above, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept. A great resource for up to date Canadian or US regulations: Be Whale Wise Guidelines
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
Donaton Receipts 2024:
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Thank you all for your kind and continuing donations. Your support is greatly appreciated – we can't do it without you.
Your 2024 Tax deductible receipts have been sent with an update on how your kind contributions are being spent. Any donations made Jan. 1, 2025 to Feb. 28, 2025 will be issued as soon as possible in March, in time to submit with your tax return. Please ensure we have your current email or physical address.
Thank you all for your kind and continuing donations. Your support is greatly appreciated – we can't do it without you.
Websites:
Whales and Dolphins BC is our educational website where these reports are also published and our Wild Ocean Whale site is our Society website. Information on our Feral Cat Initiative will be updated again soon. We apologize for delays, but we are volunteers working on this.
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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? Updates on current availabilities and revised links will be posted here.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2025-002
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Jan 20 2025
12:33 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca foraging, between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. The Orca were observed to have small dorsal fins, apart from two large males. The two large males were seen swimming towards Blubber Bay.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:27 • Biggs Orca hunting, by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. The Orca were seen pursuing Dolphins.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Jan 22 2025
09:15 • Biggs Orca heading north, south of Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Long way out about half dozen. Big guy. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Jan 26 2025
13:15 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca travelling, heading south off Hopkins Landing heading toward Gibsons, Collingwood Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
DN, Gibsons, BC
Mon Jan 27 2025
08:55 • 4 Biggs Orca travelling, heading south towards Horseshoe Bay, Queen Charlotte Channel. The Orca appeared to be a mother with three calves, one of which was smaller than the rest. ▫ Observed from Shore
NH, PK, West Vancouver, BC
Sun Feb 02 2025
13:49 • est. 6 Biggs Orca doing circles along the shoreline close to the end of Active Pass Drive Galiano Island, Active Pass. Loads of birds around and the whales were doing donuts and swimming back and forth in one area. ▫ From Ferry
HC, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca doing circles along the shoreline close to the end of Active Pass Drive Galiano Island, Active Pass
Sun, 2 Feb 2025 – 1 items
HC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca doing circles along the shoreline close to the end of Active Pass Drive Galiano Island, Active Pass
Sun, 2 Feb 2025 – 1 items
HC
Thu Feb 06 2025
09:35 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south between Harwood Island Spit and Gibsons Beach, Malaspina Strait. 2 big males observed.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
11:00 • Biggs Orca towards the south end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Observed to have tossed something up in the air.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca towards the south end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 6 Feb 2025 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca towards the south end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 6 Feb 2025 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Feb 07 2025
11:49 • 1 Biggs Orca about 600 yards from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
17:12 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca foraging, heading north off Harwood / Ahgykson Island moving towards Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Both cows and calfs in the pod.
Dave Jevons, BC
Wed Feb 12 2025
11:50 • est. 4 Biggs Orca heading north out from Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Seeing blows.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north out from Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 12 Feb 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading north out from Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 12 Feb 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:40 • Biggs Orca heading south off Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait. Near a boat.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south off Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 12 Feb 2025 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south off Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 12 Feb 2025 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Feb 16 2025
16:34 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south, off Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Near the north harbour.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Feb 17 2025
17:38 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading north, south of Harwood / Ahgykson Island, Malaspina Strait. The Orcas were seen travelling in two groups.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T19B “Galiano” born in 1995 on the left, and his younger brother T19C “Spouter” born in 2001 on the right
Wed, 5 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T19B “Galiano” born in 1995 on the left, and his younger brother T19C “Spouter” born in 2001 on the right
Wed, 5 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T102 doing the backstroke in Nodales Channel in 2013
Sat, 8 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T102 doing the backstroke in Nodales Channel in 2013
Sat, 8 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Rocky (T002C1) near Cassel Falls in Teakerne Arm in 2022
Sat, 1 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Rocky (T002C1) near Cassel Falls in Teakerne Arm in 2022
Sat, 1 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Jan 24 2025
14:30 • 4 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ lunge feeding, heading south-east between Thunder Bay and Thunder Point, Jervis Inlet. Circling around, one spy hop, feeding as birds were attracted. ▫ Observed from Shore
JB, Powell River, BC
17:19 • est. 9+ NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north by Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Jan 26 2025
09:21 • 6 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ spread out, between Grilse Point and Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
Thu Jan 30 2025
14:10 • est. 7 NRKW Orca ◦A25s,A42s◦ hunting, heading south, southeast of Plunger Passage west of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
Gary Fast, Cortes Island, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
NRKW Orca – A25s, A42s – hunting, heading south, southeast of Plunger Passage west of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel
Thu, 30 Jan 2025 – 5 items
Gary Fast, Cortes Island
Northern Resident Killer Whales
NRKW Orca – A25s, A42s – hunting, heading south, southeast of Plunger Passage west of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel
Thu, 30 Jan 2025 – 5 items
Gary Fast, Cortes Island
Sun Feb 16 2025
15:18 • est. 3+ NRKW Orca foraging, north of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), at the mouth of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. The Orcas were observed alongside fishing boats. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
North Resident Killer Whales foraging, north of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), at the mouth of Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Sun, 16 Feb 2025 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
North Resident Killer Whales foraging, north of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), at the mouth of Powell River, Malaspina Strait
Sun, 16 Feb 2025 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Feb 14 2025
16:50 • est. 10-12 SRKW Orca moving slowly, heading south-west off the west side of Gabriola Island at the junction of Northumberland Channel and Georgia Strait. Spy hopping. ▫ Observed from Shore
LL, Gabriola Island, BC
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Orcas moving slowly, heading south-west off the west side of Gabriola Island at the junction of Northumberland Channel and Georgia Strait
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Leeta Liepins Gabriola Island, BC
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Orcas moving slowly, heading south-west off the west side of Gabriola Island at the junction of Northumberland Channel and Georgia Strait
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Leeta Liepins Gabriola Island, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Fri Jan 10 2025
15:30 • est. 5-6 Orca foraging, heading south about 3-km off Shelter Point, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. The Orca were seen splashing, and circling. Seen northwest of Dick Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
SM, Gillies Bay, BC
Sun Jan 19 2025
16:00 • est. 4-6 Orca breaching, heading north-west, Duu Guusd, Gregory Beach, Haida Gwai, Pacific Ocean. Maybe haunting, seals in other bays, might have been circling. Saw large possible group fish on our radar while we were fishing. They were 400-500 ft away. Looked calm. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
EH, Port Louis, BC
Tue Jan 21 2025
11:17 • 2 Orca by Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
SW, Powell River, BC
Sat Feb 01 2025
15:02 • 1 Orca foraging, heading south-east between Commercial Inlet and Protection Island, Nanaimo Harbour. The Orca was observed to be pursuing prey amongst the moored sailboats. The activity was attracting a large flock of seagulls. ▫ Observed from Shore
Bill Tubbs, Nanaimo, BC
Thu Feb 06 2025
–:– • Orca off Ucluelet, Pacific Ocean.
Theresa Sigouin, Lantzville, BC
Tue Feb 11 2025
11:44 • 1 Orca halfway between Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. The Orca was sighted 600-700 meters out from Masset Street. ▫ Second Hand
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Tour memory from 2014 – An orca in hunting mode making a wave and trying to wash seals off the shoreline of Vivian Island
Tue, 14 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Tour memory from 2014 – An orca in hunting mode making a wave and trying to wash seals off the shoreline of Vivian Island
Tue, 14 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer whales surfacing!
Tue, 21 Jan 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer whales surfacing!
Tue, 21 Jan 2025 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sat Jan 11 2025
14:02 • est. 1 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading south-west about 2-km off Shelter Point, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Seen northwest of Dick Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
SM, Gillies Bay, BC
Sat Jan 18 2025
12:30 • Humpback Whales heading south close in to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
Fri Jan 24 2025
17:19 • est. 1+ Humpback Whales across from Myrtle Point by Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Feb 06 2025
15:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Ucluelet, Pacific Ocean.
Theresa Sigouin, Lantzville, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading north off Ucluelet, Pacific Ocean
Thu, 6 Feb 2025 – 2 items
Theresa Sigouin
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading north off Ucluelet, Pacific Ocean
Thu, 6 Feb 2025 – 2 items
Theresa Sigouin
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A humpback whale tail fluke in the golden waters of Hoskyn Channel
Thu, 6 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
A humpback whale tail fluke in the golden waters of Hoskyn Channel
Thu, 6 Feb 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Jan 20 2025
09:43 • est. 30+ PWS Dolphins 1-km south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-sided Dolphins south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-sided Dolphins south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:33 • est. 30+ PWS Dolphins heading north towards Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
13:27 • PWS Dolphins being hunted, near the Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. Transient Orca hunting the dolphins.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sat Jan 25 2025
17:20 • est. 40-50 PWS Dolphins circling prey, heading north off Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Feeding possibly, lots of circling and breaching. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jessica Fischer, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Dolphins on the move in Johnstone Strait in 2013
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Dolphins on the move in Johnstone Strait in 2013
Mon, 20 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
A dolphin heading down and another coming up
Wed, 29 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
A dolphin heading down and another coming up
Wed, 29 Jan 2025 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
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