Killer Whales and the Humpback in Vancouver Still Top our Report
A Humpback Whale seems to have found some good food, presumably herring, to feed on in the Vancouver area still. Our volunteer Ivan was kayaking and managed a short video clip for us, while Kristy Wright managed to get video of the whale breaching. Once the big rumblings of earthquakes stopped, more whales and dolphins have made their way into the upper Georgia Strait. We’ve had a number of Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales T023s who appear to be following larger groups of Pacific White Sided Dolphins and some Dall’s Porpoise. The Resident Orca pods seem to be staying outside of Georgia Strait. On a sadder note, heartbreaking for the endangered Southern Resident Orca population, the two Orca that died within the last two Sightings Reports were both Southern Residents.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Photo by Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Society News & Events
We’re gearing up for our Earth Day Buffet Fundraising Event this Friday, April 22 in Powell River at Beach Gardens Resort and Marina. This will be the first in the series of locations for our Real Time Monitoring Stations coming soon to your internet. This fundraiser should do the trick to finalize our in house financing of this project. We will keep you posted on our progress.
We are always looking for volunteers interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network.
Would you like to Volunteer and be a part of our growing Society?
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
We are also starting our 2016 Summer Raffle with another batch of great prizes! This year the draw will be on Canada Day, July 1st..fewer tickets better odds of winning…we are ready to go…with the focus on our Earth Day Event, there will be more details in the next update.
Our GoFundMe Campaign to help us out with our series of Real Time Monitoring Stations can be accessed at: Keep Wild Ocean Whale Society Live
For our DONATE page click here
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call 1-877-323-9776
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-009
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Tue Apr 19 2016
12:00 • 3 Bigg`s Orca West of Kinghorn Island, Lewis Channel. Lost Them.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Tue Apr 19 2016 – 5 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Tue Apr 19 2016 – 5 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:09 • 3 Bigg`s Orca coming up to Mary Point on Cortes Island, Malaspina Strait. ?T002c family? ▫ On Scene
10:41 • 3 Bigg`s Orca on the East side of Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait.
10:03 • 2 Bigg`s Orca off Hernando Island, Baker Passage. ▫ Radio Report
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Apr 18 2016
15:03 • Bigg`s Orca heading North at Five Finger Island just north of Nanaimo, Georgia Strait. Reported from Simon on Wild Whales Vancouver. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Nagler, Vancouver, BC
Sun Apr 17 2016
19:33 • Bigg`s Orca heading South near Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ?T023s? Two pods grouped up near Mitlenatch Island. They scared a pod of around 30 dolphins and swam by sea lions off Mitlenatch. Moving slowly southbound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Sun Apr 17 2016 – 10 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Sun Apr 17 2016 – 10 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:34 • Bigg`s Orca heading North Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Liz and Ted Douglas, Powell River
18:10 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North Black (Albion) Point, Sunshine Coast, Malaspina Strait.
Nick Gregory, Powell River, BC
16:34 • 7 Bigg`s Orca heading South past the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. They seem to be heading south mid-channel again. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:27 • 7 Bigg`s Orca heading South past the Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island. Both Orca groups.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:02 • Bigg`s Orca heading South Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. East side of the channel out from the white church heading towards the lighthouse.
Mark Howell, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
15:47 • Bigg`s Orca heading South Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • Bigg`s Orca at Sydney Island, Jervis Inlet. ?T011As?
Aaron Nagler, Vancouver, BC
14:52 • 10 Bigg`s Orca Race Point, Discovery Passage. ?T023s? Both groups together now (7 + 3). Later photo IDs were of the T023s. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Sun Apr 17 2016 – 3 Images / Media Files
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Transient Bigg’ s Killer Whales
Sun Apr 17 2016 – 3 Images / Media Files
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:10 • 7 Bigg`s Orca heading South Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. These are more Orca than the previous report.
14:07 • 3 Bigg`s Orca approaching Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
13:52 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading South at Deepwater Bay, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:09 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North almost to Myrtle Rocks, Sunshine Coast, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Gregory, Powell River, BC
Sat Apr 16 2016
??:?? • Bigg`s Orca in English Bay near Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Nagler, Vancouver, BC
Sat Apr 09 2016
13:48 • Bigg`s Orca heading South near Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel. ?T002Cs? ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Wed Apr 20 2016
08:45 • 5-7 Orca travelling, heading North-East off Passage Island near Bowen Island, Queen Charlotte Channel. We spotted the orca whales from our balcony on Dorman Point, Bowen Island and watched them in our binoculars as they travelled past the house on their way up towards Howe Sound. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terri John, Bowen Island
Sun Apr 17 2016
13:30 • 4-5 Orca heading North off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Mike Filewich
Sat Apr 16 2016
20:00 • 7-9 Orca heading South off Roberts Creek, Georgia Strait.
18:00 • 8-9 Orca heading South off the pier at Roberts Creek. The Orca were headed towards Vancouver Island. They were swimming back and forth around the strait, splitting off in small groups and then meeting back up. At times, swimming fast and breaching, and at times, they were all in one spot in a tight group (eating?). It seemed like 2 large males and some females and babies.
Brandi Mladenich, Roberts Creek
11:37 • 4-5 Orca heading South from Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
Kayaking with Humpback Whale in Vancouver
Video by Ivan Ng
Kayaking with Humpback Whale in Vancouver
Video by Ivan Ng
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Apr 18 2016
10:45 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, in English Bay off of Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. We observed the whale for about 20 minutes from a power boat. It was milling around and surfacing regularly for a while. Then, the whale started to breach at at distance; it breached about 10 times. ▫ On Scene
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver
Sun Apr 17 2016
20:30 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, off Spanish Bank in Vancouver Harbour, Burrard Inlet. The whale was lunge feeding.
Aaron Nagler, Vancouver, BC
Sat Apr 16 2016
12:50 • 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading East 500m off Spanish Banks, Burrard Inlet. Seen from Kayak. ▫ On Scene
Eric Schwartz, Vancouver
Wed Apr 13 2016
12:10 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, in English Bay off Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. The whale was surfacing regularly for about 10 minutes. It was in-between Jericho Beach and Kitsilano Beach. There were a few harbour seals and sea lions in the area too. ▫ From Kayak
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver
Sun Apr 10 2016
11:42 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North at Race Point, 50th Parallel Marker, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North by the spit in Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Apr 09 2016
15:13 • 1 Humpback Whales still in English Bay off of Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. Looking through binoculars saw a few blows and part of the back of the whale.
Ivan Ng, Vancouver, BC
Fri Apr 08 2016
12:00 • 1 Humpback Whales in English Bay off of Vancouver. ▫ Second Hand
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver
Sat Apr 02 2016
13:00 • 1 Humpback Whales English Bay, Burrard Inlet.
Alison Palmer, Vancouver
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Apr 18 2016
15:03 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading North around Atrevida Reef heading towards Lund, Malaspina Strait.
Steve & Susan Grover, Powell River, BC
13:12 • PWS Dolphins in front of the wharf in Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Mon Apr 18 2016 – 8 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Mon Apr 18 2016 – 8 Images / Media Files
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Apr 17 2016
19:33 • 30 PWS Dolphins heading South near Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Two pods of Orca grouped up near Mitlenatch Island. They scared a pod of around 30 dolphins and swam by sea lions off Mitlenatch. Moving slowly southbound. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:39 • 15-20 PWS Dolphins heading South Horn Point, Dent Rapids. Very active.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:26 • PWS Dolphins half a mile east of Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Thu Apr 14 2016
18:18 • 80-100 PWS Dolphins heading South spread out between Elk Bay and Okisollo Channel, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:52 • PWS Dolphins heading South by Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:33 • 20-30 PWS Dolphins at Hardinge Island, Nodales Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Apr 10 2016
14:50 • PWS Dolphins Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Apr 08 2016
10:00 • 6 PWS Dolphins hunting, heading North-East 100 feet off shore Davis Bay, Georgia Strait. Seen from the pier. ▫ Observed from Shore
Brian Blackwell, Sechelt
Thu Apr 07 2016
21:40 • PWS Dolphins off the point at the lighthouse in West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet.
Katie Huie
DALL’S PORPOISE
Tue Apr 19 2016
15:51 • 4 Dall`s Porpoise milling, off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Apr 18 2016
18:00 • 100 Dall`s Porpoise heading South just off Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, Georgia Strait. Tough to tell for sure other than they were small and didn’t surface much or high out of the water.
Noel Tetrault, Delta
Thu Apr 14 2016
16:33 • 6 Dall`s Porpoise in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:28 • 4-6 Dall`s Porpoise heading North half-way between Rebecca Rocks and Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Wed Apr 13 2016
09:03 • 10-12 Dall`s Porpoise off Lund, Malaspina Strait. The porpoises were foraging and zipping around.
Gordie Coles, Lund, BC
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Apr 19 2016
17:30 • Harbour Porpoise heading North from the Viewpoint in Powell River, Malaspina Strait. They were heading towards the Mill.
Barry Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Apr 17 2016
19:36 • 2 Harbour Porpoise between Salmon Point and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Breaching Humpback Whale in Vancouver
Video by Kristy Wright
Breaching Humpback Whale in Vancouver
Video by Kristy Wright
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-009
The Magazine
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
CBC TV Vancouver
Residents and tourists have spotted a humpback whale in English Bay since March, around Easter weekend, when it came incredibly close to a group of boaters.
National Observer
While the landmark Great Bear Rainforest conservation agreements have unfolded around them in a series of internationally-celebrated milestones over the last 15 years, Wray and her research partner Hermann Meuter have kept their eyes and ears to the sea. In the process they have tracked a remarkable ecological recovery and found themselves in front row seats at the epicentre of a nationwide pitched battle.
CTV News Vancouver
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is investigating after a massive grey whale washed ashore near Tofino.
The young cetacean was discovered on a beach near the Wya Point Resort in Ucluelet earlier this week.
It’s unclear how the whale died, and no obvious signs of trauma can be seen. The DFO is now trying to determine how and why the animal died.
The young cetacean was discovered on a beach near the Wya Point Resort in Ucluelet earlier this week.
It’s unclear how the whale died, and no obvious signs of trauma can be seen. The DFO is now trying to determine how and why the animal died.
A gray whale yearling put on quite a show for those at the Redondo Beach Pier Wednesday afternoon, rolling in the surf and spouting as it came up for air.
Blue Ocean Whale Watch,
Monterrey bay, CA
Monterrey bay, CA
Vancouver Sun
A recent study looked at the carcasses of more than 900 Alaskan mammals from seals to whales to look for the presence of domoic acid and saxitoxin, two common and potentially lethal algae-produced toxins.
Blooms of the algae that produce those toxins are increasingly common in California, where they regularly poison sea lions. Saxitoxin has long been present in shellfish in some parts of Alaska.
But a sea lion suffering from domoic acid poisoning, which causes seizures and death, had never been found north of California – until last year when one was found in Washington…..
INTERNATIONAL
Surfing Dolphins – Byron Bay – Australia
Sean O’Shea Art
The Guardian, UK
29 sperm whales stranded on shores around the North Sea. The results of the necropsies (the animal equivalent of autopsies) of 13 of those whales, which beached in Germany, near the town of Tönning in Schleswig-Holstein, have just been released. The animals’ stomachs were filled with plastic debris. A 13-metre-long fishing net, a 70cm piece of plastic from a car and other pieces of plastic litter had been inadvertently ingested by the animals, who may have thought they were food, such as squid, their main diet, which they consume by sucking their prey into their mouths.
BBC News
Scientists studying Scotland’s resident population of killer whales have identified an individual animal which hit the headlines in the 1970s.
The orca swam up the River Foyle in Northern Ireland in November 1977.
Efforts to persuade it to return to the open sea failed, leading to it being dubbed “Dopey Dick” by journalists in Londonderry.
The orca swam up the River Foyle in Northern Ireland in November 1977.
Efforts to persuade it to return to the open sea failed, leading to it being dubbed “Dopey Dick” by journalists in Londonderry.
New Scientist
Bottlenose dolphins have been observed chattering while cooperating to solve a tricky puzzle – a feat that suggests they have a type of vocalisation dedicated to cooperating on problem solving.
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Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non-profit Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call 1-877-323-9776
