WOWs is LIVE! Orca Chasing Humpbacks

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

WOWs is LIVE! Orca Chasing Humpbacks

June 28, 2017   —   issue No. 2017-017

Our first Live streaming Real Time Monitoring Station is up and running! See Society News below for details.

Humpback Whales have been around in large numbers between Campbell River and Lund with a few up Lewis Channel. Estimated count in one day is between 15 to 18 individuals. WOW! Talk about a comeback. Some of last year’s calves are certain to be in the mix with others returning also.

Transient Biggs Killer Whales were seen both chasing and cutting through small groupings of Humpbacks. Those Orca seem to have continued farther up Johnstone Strait. Some of the Southern Resident Orca made their way into the inside waters, but continue to stay in the southern reaches of Georgia Strait. No word on any Northern Resident Orca populations.
A few reports of our other smaller Cetaceans complete this Report and Maps issue.

Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society

Humpback Whale fluking as it passes through Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island

Society News & Events
Real Time Monitoring Station Update: We’re LIVE!
You can connect to our first installation mounted at Beach Gardens Marina click on our YouTube Channel Live Link. We are still testing various aspects, so there may be interruptions. The hydrophone (underwater listening) installation is yet to come once we iron out a few bumps. Can’t say Thank You enough to all the hardworking volunteers and contributors!

Annual Raffle: Draw date July 1st. Tickets are only available in person at our information tables or from our volunteers.
Our next locations and events are:
June 29: Town Centre Mall, Powell River
July 1: Canada Day 150, Willingdon Beach, Powell River, BC
We will be drawing the winners during the closing ceremonies.

Our team of 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?

Review our current Volunteer Job Postings

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Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-017

ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES


Mon Jun 26 2017

17:30 • Biggs Orca heading north in Lewis Channel.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

16:37 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north between Sarah Point and Mary Point, Malaspina Strait. Travelling at 7 knots towards Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:08 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north off the Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.

15:16 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ off Major Rock Islet off Lund, Malaspina Strait. Nick found them.


Sun Jun 25 2017

18:46 • Biggs Orca ◦T077s◦ about 4 miles south of Mitlenatch Island now changed direction towards Texada Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce

14:21 • Biggs Orca heading south between Steep Island and Vancouver Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand

12:44 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ in Seymour Narrows off the west side of Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

12:12 • Biggs Orca ◦T002s◦ bucking tide, south of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.

10:07 • 6 Biggs Orca heading west towards the 8 Humpbacks between Mitlenatch Island and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


Sat Jun 24 2017

17:07 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north leaving Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out

15:32 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ moving slowly, heading east milling around in Evans Bay heading towards Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

14:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T002s◦ moving slowly, leaving Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

14:06 • Biggs Orca at Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

13:17 • Biggs Orca ◦T002s◦ heading north at Hill Island.

11:55 • est. 3-5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north-east off of the southeast side of Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ From Ferry

Graham Blake, Cortes Island


Fri Jun 23 2017

21:15 • 4 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south mid channel between Lund and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. One large fin, 1 baby fin, 2 medium size fins. ▫ Observed from Shore

Judy Hicks, Lund, BC

17:08 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading west along the north shore of Mink Island, Desolation Sound. T3 last on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:03 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ between Roffey Island and Price Point, Homfray Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales at the bottom of Homfray Channel

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 – 3 items

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales at the bottom of Homfray Channel

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 – 3 items

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

14:59 • Biggs Orca bottom of Homfray Channel. Near Desolation Sound.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

11:55 • Biggs Orca at the top of Lewis Channel. Chasing a Humpback whale.

Radio, overheard or call out

11:35 • Biggs Orca, Lewis Channel. ▫ Second Hand

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:00 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south in Homfray Channel. Two males, 3 smaller. Near Desolation Sound.

Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters


Thu Jun 22 2017

15:30 • Biggs Orca heading west off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Killer Whales heading west at the Walkem Islands in Johnstone Strait

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 – 7 items

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Killer Whales heading west at the Walkem Islands in Johnstone Strait

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 – 7 items

13:00 • Biggs Orca playing, Walkem Islands. In back eddy. Not making headway any direction.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

09:57 • Biggs Orca heading north off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.

07:00 • Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north past Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand

06:02 • est. 5 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north in front of Hidden Harbour near Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore

Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

–:– • Biggs Orca, Lewis Channel. Observed in the evening. ▫ Second Hand

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Mon Jun 19 2017

18:00 • est. 7 SRKW Orca hunting, heading east near Gabriola Island and Galiano Island in the middle of Georgia Strait. Observed the pack of Killer Whales for approx. 2 hrs. They looked to be hunting fish. Please let me know which whale pod family this was. I think it may be J pod but it’s just a guess. ▫ On Scene

Paul Csintalan, Vancouver, BC


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Southern Resident Killer Whales

About seven Southern Resident Killer Whales heading east near Gabriola Island and Galiano Island

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 – 1 items

Paul Csintalan, Vancouver, BC

https://player.vimeo.com/video/222442571"

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Southern Resident Killer Whales

About seven Southern Resident Killer Whales heading east near Gabriola Island and Galiano Island

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 – 1 items

Paul Csintalan, Vancouver, BC

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES


Sat Jun 24 2017

13:00 • est. 2 Orca taking long dives, heading east about 40 metres offshore by the western lighthouse on the Spanish Bank, Burrard Inlet. They milled about there for 3 minutes and then swam about a kilometre or two east towards the Lions Gate bridge. ▫ Observed from Shore

Heather Fromson, North Vancouver

HUMPBACK WHALES


Mon Jun 26 2017

17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales in Baker Passage.

17:30 • 1 Humpback Whales off Lund, Malaspina Strait.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

16:49 • 1 Humpback Whales off Lund. Saw whale spout twice. Possibly travelling southward. ▫ Observed from Shore

Myrt Brewster, Powell River, BC

14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales about 1.5-km south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

13:20 • 5 Humpback Whales about 800-m south of Mitlenatch Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

13:00 • Humpback Whales heading south towards Church House, Calm Channel.

12:58 • Humpback Whales, Lewis Channel. Near the mouth of Teakerne Arm.

12:55 • Humpback Whales heading north-west off Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait.

Ron Johnston, Savary Island, BC

12:41 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ breaching, in Gillard Passage, Yuculta Rapids.

11:07 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south 400-m off the north side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

11:07 • Humpback Whales near Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. Observed from a distance.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:25 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, between Lund and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Slowly circling. ▫ Observed from Shore

Judy Hicks, Lund, BC

09:36 • 3 Humpback Whales near the red can off the south end of Cortes Island, Georgia Strait. Very active.

08:25 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.

08:25 • 3 Humpback Whales near Baker Passage.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


Sun Jun 25 2017

15:52 • Humpback Whales west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

15:38 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, at Mitlenatch Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:38 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, northwest of Mitlenatch Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:38 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, between Mitlenatch Island and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:16 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, between Marina Island and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.

15:01 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north past marina at Lund, Malaspina Strait.

Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours

14:23 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, off Mansons Landing, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand

Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching by Manson’s Landing, Sutil Channel

Sun, 25 Jun 2017 – 1 items

Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching by Manson’s Landing, Sutil Channel

Sun, 25 Jun 2017 – 1 items

Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

12:38 • 4 Humpback Whales breaching, off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Only two of the whales were breaching. Observed by Chris.

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

12:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Lund, Malaspina Strait. Been there since 12:30 today.

Peter Armstrong, Savary Island, BC

10:50 • 2-3 Humpback Whales in the area of Lund.

Radio, overheard or call out

09:59 • 8 Humpback Whales in the area of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales beween Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.

08:40 • Humpback Whales breaching, top of Lewis Channel. Rodonda Bay side.

Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

08:14 • 6-7 Humpback Whales off west side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. From fishing guide. ▫ Second Hand

06:21 • 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand

06:20 • 2 Humpback Whales in Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. From a friend. ▫ Second Hand


Sat Jun 24 2017

19:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at the top end of Lewis Channel.

Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

17:40 • 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

17:25 • 2 Humpback Whales south end of Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.

17:20 • 1 Humpback Whales 250 meters west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

16:19 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

15:17 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, mid-channel, southwest of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. Juvenile humpback also taking long dives. ▫ On Scene

Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures

14:37 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ bucking tide, by Sea Lion Rock at Sonora Lodge, Yuculta Rapids.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

14:22 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading north at Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:14 • 2 Humpback Whales off of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ On Scene

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

11:35 • 2 Humpback Whales near Mitlenatch Island.

10:46 • 1 Humpback Whales on the Sonora side of Hall Point, Nodales Channel.

10:46 • 1 Humpback Whales at Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.

10:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Two Humpback Whales heading north between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 – 6 items

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Two Humpback Whales heading north between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 – 6 items

08:49 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north out from Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.

Myrt Brewster, Powell River, BC


Fri Jun 23 2017

18:13 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south-east just north-west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:43 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Slits◦ just out from Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy aiming for Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.

16:16 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, by Church House, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north east side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Active. Info from boater. ▫ Second Hand

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce

12:43 • Humpback Whales angling towards Church House, Calm Channel.

11:55 • Humpback Whales at the top of Lewis Channel. Being chased by Orca.

Radio, overheard or call out

10:57 • Humpback Whales heading west, Hole in the Wall. ▫ Second Hand

10:09 • Humpback Whales, Kanish Bay. ▫ Second Hand

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

07:38 • Humpback Whales heading north mid channel off Steep Island, Discovery Passage. From a friend. ▫ Second Hand


Thu Jun 22 2017

16:08 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ in Tugboat Passage near Dent Island, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:09 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ bucking tide, heading west in Gillard Passage close to Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids. Not making headway.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

14:17 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ bucking tide, Sea Lion Rock, Yuculta Rapids.

13:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ in front of dock at Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.

12:41 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north in front of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island.

Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort

09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Mystery Reef and Savary Island in the centre of Malaspina Strait.

Kim Lisberg, Lund, BC


Wed Jun 21 2017

15:42 • 1 Humpback Whales west of Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.

15:04 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Poptart◦ north of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

14:49 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Spotlight; BCY0057 Niagara◦ east of Hill Island.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

13:37 • 2 Humpback Whales between Frederic Point and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:31 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west between Hall Point and Sonora Point, Nodales Channel. Relay from Gary. ▫ Second Hand

12:46 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, between Hill Island and Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel. Last on scene and leaving.

12:11 • 1 Humpback Whales off Surge Point south of Surge Narrows, Hoskyn Channel. Looks to be heading into Hoskyn Channel.

11:38 • 2 Humpback Whales out front of Carrington Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:14 • Humpback Whales heading south near Granite Point off Okisollo Channel and Discovery Passage.

10:07 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Spotlight; BCY0057 Niagara◦ between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

08:35 • Humpback Whales in Carrington Bay. ▫ Second Hand

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

07:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Hill Island and Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand


Tue Jun 20 2017

21:19 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of Rebecca Rocks and the other is on the side closer to Powell River, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore

20:46 • 1-2 Humpback Whales heading north closer to Texada Island just south of the light at Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.

20:40 • Humpback Whales heading north off of the east side of Texada Island north of Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.

Candi Little, Texada Island, BC

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Sun Jun 25 2017

14:55 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins south of Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading north between Brooks Peninsula and Cape Scott

Sun, 25 Jun 2017 – 1 items

Al Goodwin,


SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading north between Brooks Peninsula and Cape Scott

Sun, 25 Jun 2017 – 1 items

Al Goodwin,

12:28 • PWS Dolphins foraging, in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.

05:33 • est. 50-100 PWS Dolphins doing circles, heading north northward of Brooks Peninsula Park and south of Cape Scott, Pacific Ocean. These dolphins were huge. Jumping out of the water. Possibly hunting.

Al Goodwin,


Sat Jun 24 2017

17:31 • PWS Dolphins heading north mid-channel towards Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.

16:13 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins foraging, at 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

About fifty Pacific White Sided Dolphins at 45 Point on Quadra Island

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 – 5 items

SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

About fifty Pacific White Sided Dolphins at 45 Point on Quadra Island

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 – 5 items

15:44 • 60 PWS Dolphins moving slowly, heading north on the Quadra Island side, between Deepwater Bay and Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage. Super playful and lots of jumping.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:45 • PWS Dolphins at Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.


Fri Jun 23 2017

16:35 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading south mid channel at Thurston Bay through Nodales Channel.


Thu Jun 22 2017

14:18 • 20 PWS Dolphins heading west abeam of Horn Point, Dent Rapids.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

DALLS PORPOISE


Sat Jun 24 2017

13:50 • 10 Dalls Porpoise playing, at Owen Point, Nodales Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


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The Magazine

REGIONAL

The Olympian, WA

You can learn a lot of things from poop.
What an animal is eating. If it’s under stress. The toxins it’s ingested.
Locating animal scat on the ground is challenging. But finding it on the sea is a whole other level.
That’s where Sam Wasser’s dogs come in.
Wasser is director of the Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington. His team trains dogs to sniff the waters of Puget Sound for orca excrement.
Think of them as furry detectives. With boats….

American Rivers

Every spring, a distinct population of orca whales known as the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) waits at the mouth of the Columbia River like students in a cafeteria line. On the menu: 30+lb spring chinook salmon, the largest and fattiest of the six salmon species found off the Puget Sound.

The Center for Whale Research estimates that the average SRKW consumes between 18-25 salmon per day. With only about 80 members of this population left, that’s 1,500-2,000 salmon every day! Chinook are their favorite by far, making up as much as 80% of these whales’ diets, though they also enjoy a sampling of coho, chum, and steelhead.

Anadromous fish have a complex lifecycle, one that begins in freshwater streams, segues into the ocean …

WEST COAST

Princess Monterey Whale Watching, CA

Lunge feeding Humpback Whales, Monterey Bay, 6/19/17

Seattle PI, WA

https://www.facebook.com/facebook/videos/10203635002031691/"

Jenny Willkie Bull was paddle boarding near Deception Pass bridge in Oak Harbor on Wednesday when a pod of hunting orcas came nearly close enough to touch. She filmed the group as they passed by, later posting the video to Facebook.
The Orca Network identified the whales in the video as members of a transient pod. Transient orcas travel around coastal areas looking for prey, as opposed to resident populations that travel and live in more predictable patterns. Transient are known to feed on sea mammals like seals and sea lions, while residents, like the three Southern resident pods that frequent Puget Sound, generally stick to fish….

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Courthouse News Service

Researchers have discovered an ancient mass extinction event of large marine animals that was partially triggered by changes in the ocean that could endanger modern sea species.

The newly discovered extinction event during the Pliocene epoch – 5.3 million to 2.6 million years ago – particularly affected marine mammals, which lost 55 percent of their diversity, the team reported Monday in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution…

CBC News, NB

Since June 7, six North Atlantic right whales have been found dead, floating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in a loss that amounts to more than one per cent of the population of the endangered species.

The whales were all found in the area between New Brunswick’s Miscou Island, Quebec’s Magdalen Islands and northern P.E.I.

While there have been sightings of dead right whales in the area before, Tonya Wimmer, a marine biologist and the director of Marine Animal Response Society, said it’s on a different scale this time around. The charitable organization is dedicated to rescue and study of marine animals…..


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