Many Orca Observed
Cover Image:
Orcas with a snowy mountain backdrop!
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Over the past month, many Transient Biggs Orca were observed. They were seen in Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, along the Sunshine Coast at Gibsons and Powell River, and in upper Georgia Strait and adjacent waterways. Many of those Orca pods included adult males, which can be identified by their 2-meter tall dorsal fin. In the Lower Mainland, a Grey whale has been in English Bay for over 3 weeks now spending time in the waters betweeen West Vancouver and Stanley Park. Rounding our report are a few sightings of Humpback whales, Pacific White-Sided dolphins and of Dall’s porpoises.
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
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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.
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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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2025-004
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri Apr 04 2025
10:30 • Biggs Orca between Harwood / Ahgykson Island and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Sat Apr 05 2025
10:30 • est. 5 Biggs Orca between Powell River Ferry Terminal and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. On the 10:15 am Powell River to Texada ferry, they had to turn off the engines due to a group of approximately 5 Orca suddenly appearing. There was one large male Orca, three smaller orcas, and one baby. ▫ From Ferry
JJ, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca between Powell River Ferry Terminal and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 5 Apr 2025 – 5 items
JJ, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca between Powell River Ferry Terminal and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 5 Apr 2025 – 5 items
JJ, Powell River, BC
11:03 • est. 5+ Biggs Orca heading south by Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south by Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 5 Apr 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south by Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 5 Apr 2025 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:00 • 3 Biggs Orca way out, south of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Three big males made up the group.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Mon Apr 07 2025
18:00 • est. 3-5 Biggs Orca hunting, heading north-east off Brew Bay, Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. The observer witnessed a group of dolphins speeding up the strait. Shortly after, a pod of Biggs orcas were seen, described as -stationed in one area- for 5-10 minutes. After this encounter, the pod was seen travelling east, across the strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
R, Powell River, BC
Tue Apr 08 2025
09:30 • est. 8-12 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south-east off Beach Gardens Marina, Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Al Hobson, Qathet, BC
10:30 • 5 Biggs Orca between Powell River Ferry Terminal and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
JJ, Powell River, BC
Fri Apr 11 2025
08:32 • 8 Biggs Orca heading north off Texada Island cell tower, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
08:35 • 4 Biggs Orca between Texada Island and Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Two of the Orcas were observed to be small. The third was a male with a large dorsal fin, seen lagging behind the other two, closer to Powell River.
SW, Powell River, BC
17:00 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca hunting, heading south, mid channel between Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. Big males were sighted participating in the hunt. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca hunting, heading south, mid channel between Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca hunting, heading south, mid channel between Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:50 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca taking long dives, heading south off Alan Bank, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
19:30 • Biggs Orca heading south passing Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sat Apr 12 2025
18:00 • est. 5-10 Biggs Orca doing circles, heading south-east, hugging the coast off Gower Point, Georgia Strait. The pod was circling and gently nudging a calf that appeared either deceased or in distress. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jeremy Forst, Gibsons, BC
Tue Apr 15 2025
09:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ milling, by Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:30 • est. 4 Biggs Orca travelling, heading west off Cates Park, North Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. Includes a baby Orca. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
HJ, Port Moody, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca travelling, heading west off Cates Park, North Vancouver, Burrard Inlet
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 – 1 items
HJ, Port Moody, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca travelling, heading west off Cates Park, North Vancouver, Burrard Inlet
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 – 1 items
HJ, Port Moody, BC
Thu Apr 17 2025
10:38 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading north far out, south of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. One big fin.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Apr 18 2025
09:21 • Biggs Orca off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Big pod.
10:26 • Biggs Orca by Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:09 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north passed Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T002Cs – heading north passed Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel
Fri, 18 Apr 2025 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T002Cs – heading north passed Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel
Fri, 18 Apr 2025 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:22 • 3 Biggs Orca by Redonda Bay, Deer Passage.
14:33 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ by Smelt Bay, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Apr 20 2025
10:18 • Biggs Orca mid channel, off April Point, Discovery Passage.
10:35 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ by Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T002Cs – heading north off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage
Sun, 20 Apr 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T002Cs – heading north off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage
Sun, 20 Apr 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Apr 22 2025
13:21 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north-east in Hole in the Wall. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T002Cs – heading north-east in Hole in the Wall
Tue, 22 Apr 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T002Cs – heading north-east in Hole in the Wall
Tue, 22 Apr 2025 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Apr 23 2025
13:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north near Grouse Island, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Apr 24 2025
06:50 • 8 Biggs Orca heading south mid way between Harwood / Ahgykson Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
SW, Powell River, BC
09:10 • est. 10-12 Biggs Orca travelling, heading south-east mid way between Myrtle Point and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. A number of large males. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elizabeth Kennedy, Powell River, BC
10:31 • 8 Biggs Orca ◦T063 Chainsaw◦ heading south by Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T063 Chainsaw – heading south by Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 24 Apr 2025 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T063 Chainsaw – heading south by Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 24 Apr 2025 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Apr 25 2025
12:45 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca ◦T049As◦ heading south by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T049As – heading south by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 25 Apr 2025 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca – T049As – heading south by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 25 Apr 2025 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:01 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ taking long dives, heading north near Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Apr 26 2025
15:30 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south from Pebble Beach south of Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Two males.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south from Pebble Beach south of Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 26 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Biggs Orca heading south from Pebble Beach south of Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 26 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:30 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north from Pebble Beach south of Black (Albion) Point.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Apr 27 2025
13:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ south of Mitlenatch Island closer to Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Apr 28 2025
11:30 • 5 Biggs Orca in Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Apr 29 2025
12:38 • Biggs Orca heading north at the north end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Includes one large male.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Apr 30 2025
13:14 • 6 Biggs Orca milling, near Dunsterville Islet, Hoskyn Channel. Small finned Orca.
14:22 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north slowly at Bold Island, Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sun Apr 27 2025
16:00 • NRKW Orca heading south, Pryce Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Apr 18 2025
10:09 • SRKW Orca ◦J Pod◦ moving slowly, heading south, south of Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Wed Apr 30 2025
11:53 • Orca in front of Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
12:41 • Orca by Breton Islands, Sutil Channel. Dalls Porpoises close by.
Radio, overheard or call out
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu Apr 10 2025
09:35 • Humpback Whales by April Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Apr 20 2025
10:35 • Humpback Whales heading south near Tyee Spit, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Apr 25 2025
16:00 • Humpback Whales north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Apr 30 2025
11:08 • Humpback Whales heading south close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 30 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading south close to Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 30 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
GREY WHALES
Fri Apr 11 2025
06:17 • 1 Grey Whales milling, heading south-west off Navvy Jack Point, West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
Dan Rhodes, West Vancouver, BC
Grey Whales
Grey Whales milling, heading south-west off Navvy Jack Point, West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Dan Rhodes, West Vancouver, BC
Grey Whales
Grey Whales milling, heading south-west off Navvy Jack Point, West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Dan Rhodes, West Vancouver, BC
18:30 • 1 Grey Whales ◦CRC-53 Little Patch◦ milling, along the sea wall in West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. We observed the whale for about an hour. Based on reports, the whale has been in the area for at least 3 days, ranging from Ambleside Park to Dundarave. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Grey Whales
Grey Whales – CRC-53 Little Patch – milling, along the sea wall in West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Grey Whales
Grey Whales – CRC-53 Little Patch – milling, along the sea wall in West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 – 2 items
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Apr 03 2025
10:30 • est. 20+ PWS Dolphins by Saltery Bay, Jervis Inlet. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Mon Apr 28 2025
13:53 • est. 5-6 PWS Dolphins off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Apr 30 2025
12:41 • Dalls Porpoise by Breton Islands, Sutil Channel. Close to Orca.
Radio, overheard or call out
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The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
New York Post
An incredibly rare albino orca was caught on camera leaping out of the ocean, leaving an impassioned wildlife photographer â??shaking with excitement.â?…
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
TheConversation
Even biologists only capture a glimpse of the lives of whales. There are still many species whose lives are largely a mystery, particularly the deep diving whales.
But scientists are learning more about the role that whales play in marine ecosystems and the services that they provide. Recent research is showing that even whale urine is important for the planet….
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OregonLive
Thousands of gray whales now migrating north from Baja California are in such poor shape and so few calves were born this winter that researchers and others worry they may be witnessing another die-off….
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