Southern Resident Orca, Bigg’s, Humpbacks and More

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Southern Resident Orca, Bigg’s, Humpbacks and More

October 6, 2017   —   issue No. 2017-038

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! It’s unusual for the Southern Resident Killer Whales to stay in the northern reaches of Georgia Strait, but they must have found some good fish to eat. Food is something they definitely have been in need of with their populations dwindling. J-Pod was the main family group with a few from possibly L-Pod with them going up into Sutil Channel even to forage, feed and socialize. Their vocals, or chatting type calls to one another, kept some of the Transient Bigg’s, the meat eaters, slinking around channels or other sides of islands. None of the whales wanted confrontation.

With all the Orca activity, the Humpback Whales too were moving out of the way, although there was a report of one seen briefly close to the Southern Residents. Humpbacks communicate in very low frequencies while Orca and others of the Dolphin family are high frequency chatterers, so the noise must be deafening to them. The Humpbacks have been slowly working their way south, stopping to feed and rest. We seriously appreciate the number of calls from worried observers reporting possible injury or entanglement of Humpbacks, and are happy to report that, at least during this report period, they were all just having a good snooze on the surface.

Pacific White Sided Dolphins almost got themselves tangled up with some of the Transient Bigg’s Orca, probably not realizing till the last moment that they were approaching meat eaters rather than the fish eaters. Although the Dolphins are fast, the Orca, also a type of Dolphin, can be just as fast to catch them. These Bigg’s also feed on Harbour and Dall’s Porpoise which is why we ask for sightings of these smaller Cetaceans.

Of note, of our other marine mammals that are under our Species of Interest category are Sea Otters who are moving back into our inside waters. This is exciting! We had only logged lone animals over the past few years, but it appears that we may have a family of them by Mitlenatch Island with the sighting of a juvenile and two or possibly three adults.

Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society

A Pod of Killer Whales heading towards Northeast Point

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

Society News & Events
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Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-038

ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES


Thu Oct 05 2017

16:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading west at Brem River, Toba Inlet.

15:39 • Biggs Orca ◦T100s◦ angling towards Montgomery Bank angling towards Vivian Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Radio Report

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions

13:27 • Biggs Orca breaching; spread out, anglng towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Spread out quite a ways, multiple breaches as well.

13:24 • 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south past Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort

12:43 • 3-4 Biggs Orca heading north between Sliammon and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.

Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours

12:29 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south at the Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

11:07 • Biggs Orca heading north past Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report

Radio, overheard or call out

11:00 • Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north Elk Bay. Orca northbound at 7 knots and PWS swam up to them – dolphins then headed south fast. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:31 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, past Race Point, Discovery Passage.

08:55 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north Middle Point, Discovery Passage.

08:26 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north at Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.


Wed Oct 04 2017

17:15 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south at Race Point, Discovery Passage. Had just killed a seal.

16:21 • 5 Biggs Orca foraging, heading to Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. Three of Orca are heading to Vivian Island while the two big males are sharing a seal following slowly. ▫ On Scene

15:16 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north passing Powell River, Malaspina Strait. So far, 2 bulls a female and a juvenile. ▫ On Scene

15:02 • est. 3 Biggs Orca heading north close in to shore by Powell River.

Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC

14:30 • 3-4 Biggs Orca heading north by Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Three big bulls for sure.

Jim Southern, Powell River, BC


Tue Oct 03 2017

15:02 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T002C1 Rocky◦ bucking tide, off Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. Tall dorsal fin.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

13:54 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north past Sea Lion Rock, Yuculta Rapids. Missing Rocky, a big male. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:07 • Biggs Orca feeding on a Sea Lion, off Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

12:26 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ off Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island.

Radio, overheard or call out


Mon Oct 02 2017

18:03 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ bucking tide, heading south Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.

17:56 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ Seymour Narrows.

17:21 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦, Hole in the Wall.

15:35 • 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south on the Vancouver Island side, 1000 M south of Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whale heading south off of Eagles Cove

Mon, 2 Oct 2017 – 2 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whale heading south off of Eagles Cove

Mon, 2 Oct 2017 – 2 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:45 • Biggs Orca heading south Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

12:45 • est. 2 Biggs Orca taking long dives, south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Hanging around for over an hour. ▫ Observed from Shore

Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

11:32 • est. 5 Biggs Orca hunting, at Bear Point, Johnstone Strait. Hunting dolphins.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

08:47 • 6 Biggs Orca heading east Hardwick side from Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. Report from ‘little boat’. ▫ Second Hand


Sun Oct 01 2017

13:08 • Biggs Orca heading south passing Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. Probably be in Calm Channel in 15 minutes.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort


Sat Sep 30 2017

10:25 • Biggs Orca heading north at Lawrence Point, Bute Inlet. Tight to shore.

10:23 • Biggs Orca tight to western shoreline, past Lawrence Point.

10:07 • Biggs Orca heading north at Lawrence Point.

07:52 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south past Sonora Lodge headed toward Kellsey Point, Yuculta Rapids.

Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort


Fri Sep 29 2017

15:10 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T010s◦ heading north off Separation Head, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:28 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north off Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Close to the shore.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

12:40 • Biggs Orca off Moh Creek, Bute Inlet.

Radio, overheard or call out

11:46 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north in front of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. One big fin and one small fin.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:17 • Biggs Orca heading north past Moh Creek, Bute Inlet. Close to the shore.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

11:15 • 1 Biggs Orca off the Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand

09:38 • Biggs Orca off Lawrence Point, Bute Inlet. ▫ Second Hand

NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Tue Sep 26 2017

18:30 • est. 30 NRKW Orca heading east from Cape Mudge towards Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. Wanted to clear up some ID’s from todays NR visit. I had a wrong ID early on which made me think A35’s were in but instead that whale turned out to be G41. G88 is in my pics along with others from the G27 . The G2 Matriline was present as well with G2 G53 G77 G82 G101 all present.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Killer Whales off of Telegraph Cove in early September

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 – 6 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Killer Whales off of Telegraph Cove in early September

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 – 6 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Wed Oct 04 2017

17:30 • SRKW Orca moving slowly, heading south between Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. Orcas were moving slowly and socializing.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce

14:45 • SRKW Orca heading south approaching Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.

10:30 • SRKW Orca heading north abeam Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

09:00 • SRKW Orca spread out, heading north by Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.


Tue Oct 03 2017

17:07 • 30 SRKW Orca ◦J Pod◦ foraging, heading south to Comox, Georgia Strait. Most were southbound towards Comox, close to Vancouver Island. The others were mid-Strait foraging.

15:45 • SRKW Orca moving slowly, heading south off Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out

12:08 • SRKW Orca around Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:09 • SRKW Orca ◦J Pod◦ spread out, between Mitlenatch Island and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. The whales were milling and appeared to be possibly breeding as well! Saw male genitals and females on their side. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:18 • est. 20-30 SRKW Orca around Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene


Mon Oct 02 2017

12:50 • est. 25 SRKW Orca moving slowly, heading west at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

12:16 • 12-15 SRKW Orca on the Vancouver Island side across from Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait.

12:13 • 12-15 SRKW Orca heading west at Tyee Point.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES


Tue Oct 03 2017

18:00 • est. 2 Orca ◦?◦ moving slowly, heading north-east mid-channel between Bowen Island and Horseshoe Bay, Queen Charlotte Channel. Seen from Bowen Island Ferry!. ▫ From Ferry

Gillian Bentall, Bowen Island, BC

08:37 • Orca heading south-west about half-mile off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.

07:54 • est. 7 Orca moving slowly, heading north around Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy. Scattered around.

Dean Parsonage, 50 North Aventures


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Unidentified Killer Whales

Killer Whales heading south near Northeast Point on Texada Island

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 – 5 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Unidentified Killer Whales

Killer Whales heading south near Northeast Point on Texada Island

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 – 5 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

HUMPBACK WHALES


Thu Oct 05 2017

16:25 • 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading west halfway between Myrtle Point and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Travelling close to shore with another animal, possibly a sea lion. ▫ Observed from Shore

Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC

16:09 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north at Church House, Calm Channel.

15:50 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading east halfway between Myrtle Point and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Noticed a few spouts and then a deep dive, Didn’t see it resurface. ▫ Observed from Shore

Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC

15:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south mid-channel off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Mother Humpback and her calf.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

15:00 • Humpback Whales heading into Orford Bay, Bute Inlet.

13:34 • Humpback Whales at Turnback Point, Arran Rapids.

Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

12:10 • Humpback Whales between Race Point and Middle Point, Discovery Passage.


Wed Oct 04 2017

16:21 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, south of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.

15:55 • Humpback Whales resting, off Stradiotti Reef south of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.

Ken Starr, Chemainus, BC

11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, heading Unknown Direction midway between Myrtle Point and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Resting at surface. Observed a number of breaths. ▫ Observed from Shore

09:25 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading west between Myrtle Point and Black (Albion) Point. The whale was about 100 yards off shore. ▫ Observed from Shore

Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC

07:48 • 2 Humpback Whales just south by Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand

07:48 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Mitlenatch Island towards Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


Tue Oct 03 2017

19:05 • est. 10 Humpback Whales between Lasqueti Island and Hornby Island, Georgia Strait.

Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive

18:07 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Race Point, Discovery Passage.

12:08 • Humpback Whales spread out, heading north around Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:59 • Humpback Whales milling, between Wilby Shoals and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:34 • 2 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out

10:10 • Humpback Whales resting, off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.

Clayton Radke, Powell River, BC

07:44 • Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Blow was observed. Pretty sure it was a Humpback. ▫ Observed from Shore


Mon Oct 02 2017

16:46 • Humpback Whales Double Island, Pryce Channel.

16:46 • 1 Humpback Whales Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

10:16 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at Teakerne Arm, Lewis Channel.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


Sun Oct 01 2017

17:44 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. The blow beautifully lit up by the sun. ▫ Observed from Shore

16:17 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

13:50 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, at the north end of Lewis Channel.

12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales 400-m south of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

11:44 • 1 Humpback Whales off the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.

11:44 • 2 Humpback Whales near Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.

10:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-east off the sandbanks of Harwood Island towards the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

09:51 • Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out

09:18 • 1 Humpback Whales heading into Evans Bay from Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.


Sat Sep 30 2017

18:23 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading east near the Englewood green beacon, Beaver Cove. Coming up for air every 1-3 minutes.

Geraldine Trimble, Thornhill, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale near the Englewood green beacon

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 – 2 items

Geraldine Trimble, Thornhill, BC

-1
SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale near the Englewood green beacon

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 – 2 items

Geraldine Trimble, Thornhill, BC

17:43 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

17:34 • 2 Humpback Whales now by Otter Island, Desolation Sound.

17:25 • Humpback Whales heading south mid Strait at Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

17:22 • Humpback Whales right in Orford Bay, Bute Inlet.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

17:22 • 2 Humpback Whales about 3 miles west of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce

16:59 • 2 Humpback Whales off northwest side of Mink Island, Cordero Channel.

16:57 • Humpback Whales heading north-west around Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce

16:49 • 2 Humpback Whales passing Mary Point heading towards Lewis Channel.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:51 • 2 Humpback Whales at the top of Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out

15:23 • 2 Humpback Whales off Little River, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce

12:05 • Humpback Whales breaching, off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching off of Powell River

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 – 5 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching off of Powell River

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 – 5 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

11:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east from Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

10:19 • Humpback Whales out from Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.

Eric Green, Powell River CCG

10:07 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Lots of dives. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:16 • Humpback Whales on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out

08:55 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Possibly the same one as sighted at 06:45.

Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC

08:43 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, out from Powell River Viewpoint, Powell River.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

06:45 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Powell River.

Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC


Fri Sep 29 2017

12:40 • Humpback Whales off Clipper Point, Bute Inlet.

Radio, overheard or call out

12:38 • Humpback Whales off Gillard Islands, Yuculta Rapids. Whale rolling in kelp.

12:30 • Humpback Whales heading north just north of Sea Lion Rock, Yuculta Rapids.

11:08 • 1 Humpback Whales at Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

09:25 • 3 Humpback Whales north of Whale Passage along the shore of Read Island, Sutil Channel.


Wed Sep 27 2017

16:00 • est. 3-5 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading west off St. John Point, Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. There have been continuous sittings of Humpback whales around Hornby for the last few months. Often very close to shore – possibly feeding on the schools of juvenile herring that are abundant this year. This particular sitting was from St. Johns Point looking South perhaps 1 km. ▫ Observed from Shore

Don Peterson, Hornby Island, BC


Thu Sep 21 2017

14:00 • est. 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north-east between Bowyer Island and Bowen Island, Queen Charlotte Channel. In between Boyer and Bowen Island, we were kayaking with a class of 10 school aged kids. So exciting!. ▫ On Scene

Gillian Bentall, Bowen Island, BC


Wed Sep 20 2017

20:11 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0004 Stripe◦ off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.

Allison Galloway, Campbell River, BC

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Thu Oct 05 2017

16:51 • 50 PWS Dolphins, Kanish Bay.

11:00 • PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading south Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. Dolphins swam up to the Orca and then headed south fast.

09:20 • 40 PWS Dolphins frolicking, heading south near McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.


Tue Oct 03 2017

18:13 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins foraging, between Rebecca Rocks and Powell River, Malaspina Strait.


Mon Oct 02 2017

17:29 • est. 150 PWS Dolphins heading north Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.

16:06 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins milling, in front of Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:16 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. Ahead of Orca.

Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive

13:12 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins milling, Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait.

11:32 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins at Bear Point, Johnstone Strait. Three groups; split up.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

08:47 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins heading east from Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.


Sun Oct 01 2017

10:44 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins heading south in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out

HARBOUR PORPOISE


Tue Oct 03 2017

17:29 • 3-5 Harbour Porpoise foraging, off Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.

OF SPECIAL NOTE


Tue Oct 03 2017

14:35 • 1 Other Species off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. A Sea Otter was observed, third one of the day.

14:07 • 1 Other Species off the south side of Mitlenatch Island. A Sea Otter was observed, second one of the day.

13:32 • 1 Other Species heading west off Manson Passage towards Mitlenatch Island, Malaspina Strait. A Sea Otter was observed.


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The Magazine

WEST COAST

Daily Mail , UK

New research aims to find out why highly endangered beluga whales in Alaska’s Cook Inlet have failed to recover despite protective measures.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded more than $1.3 million to the state for three years of research involving the white whales.
‘While we know what we believe caused the initial decline, we’re not sure what’s causing the population to remain suppressed,’ said Mandy Keogh, a wildlife physiologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The Oregonian

Sperm whales are social animals that travel in groups, but when it comes to eating, they prefer a table for one.

That’s one of the takeaways from a study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute. The research was published in late August in the journal “Ecology and Evolution.”

Researchers from OSU and the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur in Mexico tagged and tracked 27 sperm whales in the Gulf of California in 2007 and 2008 with special devices that chronicled the most detailed look at the deep-sea diver’s activity to date.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Siberian Times, RU

a bowhead whale became beached and died on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean attracting one percent of the polar bears left on the planet. View these brilliant photos taken of the event…

Daily Mail , UK

The News International, PK

This is the first sighting of live blue whales in Pakistani waters.

WWF-Pakistan’s trained skipper, Saeed Zaman while fishing for tuna spotted a very large sized animal together with its baby in waters.

According to the fisherman, the mother whale was around 17 metres in length, almost the same size of their fishing boat whereas the calf surfaced rarely so its size could not be assessed.

Earlier, a number of skeletal remains and beached blue whales were reported from Pakistani waters. The last such dead specimen was observed at Khuddi Creek along the coast of Sindh on 11 August 2014.

Although 47 sightings of baleen whales have been reported from the coast of Pakistan in 2016 none of them could be attributed to blue whale. It may be noted that on 10 September, WWF-Pakistan trained fishermen recorded the first live pair of sperm whales off Gunz, Balochistan.

CBC,North

An 18-year-old from Kangiqsujuaq, Que., harpooned a bowhead whale on Aug. 31, on her first ever hunt.
“I kept thinking before I harpooned it, ‘I’m not going to be nervous. I’m not going to be shaky. I’m not going to be scared,'” she said.
The bowhead measured in at slightly more than 14 metres. Pilurtuut has no idea how much it weighed, just simply stating “it’s a big whale.”
According to the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, the bowhead can grow to 14 to 18 metres (46-59 feet) in length and weighs 75-100 tonnes.
Pilurtuut was part of a team of six from her community, which headed out on the annual hunt three weeks prior to getting the whale.
The one they eventually caught was spotted while the crew was camping…

Oceans Deeply

Growing evidence indicates that underwater air guns used to detect oil and gas deposits affect the behavior of marine mammals. Arctic biologist Eva Garde talks about her research into the impact of air guns on elusive narwhals…

BBC News

An “extremely rare” pod of about 20 minke whales has been spotted off the east coast of the Isle of Man, a conservation group has said.
Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch (MWDW) said whales kept “popping up” during a “feeding frenzy” between Douglas Head and Port Soderick Bay on Wednesday.
Spokeswoman Jen Adams said it was “very unusual to see them foraging en masse” as they were “solitary creatures”.
She added that to “see so many at once is really incredible”.
Minke whales feed on fish and krill and adults can measure up to 30ft (9m) long and weigh up to 10 tonnes….


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