Southern Resident Orca appear again and Grey Whale at Nanoose
Cover Image:
Southern Residents are back
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
On April 15, Southern Resident Orca (fish-eating) were observed in the evening off Cape Mudge which is at the south end of Quadra Island. Members of J-pod were identified among the Orca and they were last seen heading south. No other reports were received of their sighting since then. Transient Orca (mammal-eating) have been observed in many areas, including in Sechelt Inlet, off Nanoose Bay, and west of Sooke near Otter Point. On a number of occasions, these Orca were spotted hunting.
A few Grey whales were spotted in a few areas too. During the spring, Grey whales are migrating north from Mexico towards northern BC and Alaska. A few Grey whales on their journey north pass through Georgia Strait and other inland waterways. One Grey whale was seen in Howe Sound and another was passing through Seymour Narrows. One Grey whale has been observed north of Nanoose Bay peninsula for about one week, spending time really close to shore.
Humpback whales have appeared in many areas from Juan de Fuca Strait through Georgia Strait all the way up to Queen Charlotte Strait (Wells Passage). As the warmer months approach, it is expected that more Humpback whales will return to waters around BC and they can be seen regularly. A few pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins were spotted, with the largest pod numbering around 80 members. A large pod of approximately 50 Harbour porpoises were observed at the end of March near Otter Point west of Sooke. Harbour porpoises can be recognized by their dark colour, triangular dorsal fin, and slow rolling dive. They usually are in small groups with less than 10 individuals but may form larger groups to mate or to forage.
Boaters, please use caution on the water. Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Southern Resident Orca in critical habitats and for other types of Orca, laws require boats to remain at least 200-m away from them. For other species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, boats must keep a minimum distance of 100-m away from them but the minimum distance changes to 200-m if there is a calf OR if the Cetaceans are resting. Remember N.E.W.S. when you see a whale, meaning put your boat in NEUTRAL, ENJOY the view, WAIT till the whales are at a fair distance, and then SLOWLY leave the scene.
WOWs works throught 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
COVID-19 Updates:
We hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Updated event schedules will be posted as they become available.
Our yearly Dwight Hall fundraising dinner, instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence, is currently scheduled for October 3, 2020. We are looking at the real possibility that this too may be cancelled. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
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Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins accounts. Follow us for regular updates and photos.
Coming Soon:
Our New Archive Dataset Interface is in the works, but we don't want to hold up any ongoing research. To access 21,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Have you Marked Your Calendar?:
Our annual Dwight Hall Dinner Event in Powell River has been rescheduled to October 3, 2020. There will be Silent and Live Auctions as well as 50/50 and our ever popular Crack an Egg for prizes. More information and tickets are available on our Wild Ocean Whale website.
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: We continue to update lessons, activities and resources on our website. Teachers can download information as needed for classes. Have you taken our Orca and Humpback Quizzes yet?
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Cetacean Web Camera YouTube Channel is live. We continue live streaming from our Powell River camera.
Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
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?
We are in need of a couple of team members who are able and willing to help get our publications ready throughout the Summer months. Training will start in March before the true 'busy' season.
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-007
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu Mar 19 2020
16:24 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca ◦T063 Chainsaw◦ heading east near Otter Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Saw smaller Orca in the pod. ▫ Observed from Shore
Lynda J, Sooke, BC
Mon Apr 06 2020
13:53 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading north-east off the Harwood Island Bluffs, Malaspina Strait. Two big fins in the group. Quite a few Orca. At 14:06, they were mid-channel and they turned southward.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales Enjoying a Sunny Day
Mon, 6 Apr 2020 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales Enjoying a Sunny Day
Mon, 6 Apr 2020 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:30 • est. 8 Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Apr 08 2020
17:30 • est. 3-5 Biggs Orca foraging, heading east near Mace Point, Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Swimming back and forth towards Mace Point, probably feeding. One very large Orca. ▫ Observed from Shore
DM, Savary Island, BC
Thu Apr 09 2020
09:00 • est. 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south near Poise Island, Sechelt Inlet. 3 whales, one seemed smaller than the other. They surfaced, did 4-6 “blows’ each. Submerged and didn’t re-appear. ▫ Observed from Shore
Robert McMahon, Sechelt, BC
09:30 • Biggs Orca heading south between Tyee Spit and Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
10:00 • Biggs Orca heading south approaching Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
11:00 • Biggs Orca just off Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
12:45 • Biggs Orca heading south down south of the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:27 • Biggs Orca ◦T018 Esperanza,T019s◦ taking long dives, off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. Sleepy long dives headed into the Abyss and pointed into the Gulf.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
14:10 • 2 Biggs Orca moving quickly & bucking the tide, heading north in Greene Point, West Thurlow Island, Cordero Channel. Two big fin Orca surprisingly fast against the flood.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T018 Esperanza,T019s◦ heading south-east one mile south of the Pinnacles south of Montgomery Bank, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
19:13 • Biggs Orca heading south mid channel near Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
20:18 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south past Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Apr 10 2020
10:30 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading north off Deep Bay, Baynes Sound. ▫ Second Hand
16:00 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca hunting, heading north off Kye Bay, Comox, Georgia Strait. Big breaches observed. ▫ Second Hand
17:30 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca ◦T069s◦ heading north out from Bates Beach, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sat Apr 11 2020
17:00 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T087,T124A2,T124A2A,T124A2B◦ hunting, at Eastwest Bay, Maurelle Island, Calm Channel. Left them on a kill at 1800 hrs at north end of Whiterock Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:15 • est. 5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-east, west of Maude Island near Nanoose Bay, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
DD, Lantzville, BC
18:50 • 4 Biggs Orca at Termagant Point, Sunderland Channel. Three small fins and one big fin traumatizing the local seal population.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Apr 12 2020
09:30 • Biggs Orca heading south past Homfray Lodge, Homfray Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:45 • 1 Biggs Orca off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Lone male.
14:42 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca heading south at the spoil grounds in Sutil Channel. 3 big fins.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
16:38 • Biggs Orca ◦T087◦ heading south-west abeam Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:00 • Biggs Orca heading south off Bates Beach, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Tue Apr 14 2020
12:09 • est. 10-15 Biggs Orca ◦T063 Chainsaw,T087◦ entering Discovery Passage from Okisollo Channel.
12:54 • est. 10-15 Biggs Orca ◦T063 Chainsaw,T065s,T087,T090s◦ heading north-west near Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage. Seven small fins and one big fin.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:47 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south from Sliammon towards Powell River, Malaspina Strait. One big male and a small whale in the pod.
Heather Armstrong, Powell River, BC
Wed Apr 15 2020
06:55 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north passing Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait. Two small fin orca.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
07:20 • 6 Biggs Orca heading north passed Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
14:13 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca spread out, heading north, Baker Passage. Oberved one big fin. Heading into Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:00 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca heading north-west south of Yeo Islands north of Nanoose Bay, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Zoe Brown, Nanoose Bay, BC
Thu Apr 16 2020
12:48 • est. 10+ Biggs Orca heading north just below Willow Point, Georgia Strait. Doing about 6 knots.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
13:29 • Biggs Orca heading north approaching Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:33 • Biggs Orca heading north passing Rotary Beach Park in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. The Orca were passing the FoggDukkers Coffee shop.
14:10 • Biggs Orca heading north just passing Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. A little white Orca is with this group.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
15:00 • Biggs Orca by Menzies Bay near Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
16:30 • Biggs Orca at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales at Brown’s Bay
Thu, 16 Apr 2020 – 10 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales at Brown’s Bay
Thu, 16 Apr 2020 – 10 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:30 • est. 18 Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs,T046s,T049As◦ heading north about one mile north of Browns Bay along the shore of Vancouver Island, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
18:29 • est. 6-8 Biggs Orca heading north by Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
18:58 • est. 8 Biggs Orca heading north mid channel off Campbell River Ferry Terminal, Discovery Passage.
19:15 • Biggs Orca heading north just north of the Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Near the Mill site.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
20:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T077A,T101s◦ heading north at Maud Island in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca in Seymour Narrows
Thu, 16 Apr 2020 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Orca in Seymour Narrows
Thu, 16 Apr 2020 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Apr 17 2020
09:30 • 6 Biggs Orca heading north at Church House, Calm Channel. Heading towards the mouth of Bute Inlet. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
10:35 • est. 9-10 Biggs Orca bucking tide, heading west at Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. Local seal populace on high alert.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
15:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T023s◦ heading south-west in Nodales Channel. Initially observed in Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:30 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north at Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. The two Orca were male.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T125A and T128, passing Campbell River
Fri, 17 Apr 2020 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T125A and T128, passing Campbell River
Fri, 17 Apr 2020 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sat Apr 18 2020
10:30 • Biggs Orca heading north in Current Passage, Johnstone Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Wed Apr 15 2020
19:45 • SRKW Orca ◦J Pod◦ heading south by Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales, J Pod, near Quadra Island
Wed, 15 Apr 2020 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales, J Pod, near Quadra Island
Wed, 15 Apr 2020 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
19:52 • SRKW Orca ◦J Pod◦ between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and the Cape Mudge Fishing Hump, Georgia Strait. A boat parked on top of the Orca. ▫ Observed from Shore
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Apr 14 2020
20:32 • est. 12-14 Orca taking long dives, off Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. First group had 5 or 6 individuals, and second group had 7 or 8 individuals.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca at Grief Point Park
Tue, 14 Apr 2020 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca at Grief Point Park
Tue, 14 Apr 2020 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
21:08 • 4 Orca heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Four small fins in the pod. Possibly Transients (T101s).
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Wed Apr 15 2020
16:45 • est. 15 Orca spread out, near the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel. Possibly Southern Resident Orca.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca mid-breach
Mon, 20 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca mid-breach
Mon, 20 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Apr 08 2020
15:35 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, near Cordero Lodge NE of Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Apr 09 2020
18:30 • 1 Humpback Whales, Wells Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sun Apr 12 2020
–:– • est. 2+ Humpback Whales breaching, a few miles off of Otter Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca. The whales breached at the same time. Called my friends and they saw it too. Didn’t need binoculars to see them splash. ▫ Observed from Shore
Lynda J, Sooke, BC
10:40 • 1 Humpback Whales in Nanoose Harbour. Came right up behind the boat. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon Apr 13 2020
08:20 • 1 Humpback Whales close to Steep Island, Discovery Passage. Maybe heading northward.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
09:47 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
14:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north passing Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:00 • 1 Humpback Whales tail slaps, between the Campbell River Ferry Terminal and Quathiaski Cove Ferry Terminal, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
GREY WHALES
Tue Mar 24 2020
13:14 • est. 1 Grey Whales moving slowly, heading north, north of Britannia Beach, Howe Sound. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
KB, BC
Mon Apr 13 2020
12:47 • 1 Grey Whales heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Wed Apr 15 2020
15:00 • 1 Grey Whales foraging, heading north-west to the north-east of Enos Creek, Nanoose Bay, Georgia Strait. The grey was constantly foraging, seemingly standing on its nose, along the Nanoose shoreline around Bonito and Blueback Crescents on Apr 15-16. Between forage runs of 1-2 minutes, it would return to horizontal position, blow air, swim off, then turn around and return to shore foraging. The tip of the right lateral fin was seen to be severed – recently as it was still raw looking. ▫ Observed from Shore
Zoe Brown, Nanoose Bay, BC
Grey Whales
Grey Whale Foraging in Nanoose Bay, BC
Wed, 15 Apr 2020 – 5 items
Zoe Brown, Nanoose Bay, BC
Grey Whales
Grey Whale Foraging in Nanoose Bay, BC
Wed, 15 Apr 2020 – 5 items
Zoe Brown, Nanoose Bay, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Grey Whales
Grey Whale in Howe Sound
Tue, 21 Apr 2020 – 1 items
K Brownie, Howe Sound
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Grey Whales
Grey Whale in Howe Sound
Tue, 21 Apr 2020 – 1 items
K Brownie, Howe Sound
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Apr 07 2020
08:20 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins west of Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait. Having a really good time.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Apr 08 2020
09:07 • PWS Dolphins north of the bluffs by Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
10:47 • est. 16 PWS Dolphins heading north about 1/2 km from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River Viewpoint
Wed, 8 Apr 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River Viewpoint
Wed, 8 Apr 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Apr 09 2020
10:50 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins heading west, Wellbore Channel. Headed towards Sunderland Channel at about 14knts.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Apr 16 2020
10:01 • PWS Dolphins back and forth, off Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Small group of lags. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Apr 17 2020
12:20 • PWS Dolphins at Howe Island, Nodales Channel. Small group seen.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Apr 19 2020
07:35 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins spread out, around Poyntz Island, Sunderland Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins Enjoying the Water
Tue, 21 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins Enjoying the Water
Tue, 21 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Mid-Air
Tue, 21 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Mid-Air
Tue, 21 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Playing in the Water
Sat, 18 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphin Playing in the Water
Sat, 18 Apr 2020 – 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sat Mar 28 2020
18:00 • est. 50 Harbour Porpoise heading west towards Otter Point, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Approximate date of sighting. Speed was fast, and way too many to count. No jumping out of the water, but all rising and running fast west, and a fairly tight group. They probably went by my place in less that 5 minutes. Also saw a pod of about 6 porpoises a few days earlier about the same time of day heading in the same direction. ▫ Observed from Shore
Lynda J, Sooke, BC
Mon Apr 06 2020
09:00 • est. 4 Harbour Porpoise doing circles, heading south-east 900-m from Eagle Harbour, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. From a cedar strip canoe, I was resting at a point betwn Grebe Islets and Eagle Harbour, offshore about 1 km in West Vancouver. Calm weather & sunny, glanced up at the sound of breathing and saw them surface about 100-m to the NE of me . They were heading Eastward. Their triangular fins would come out almost in pairs, about 3 seconds apart. Then they must have swum a large clockwise circle not too deep since they came up about 50 m to the S of me. I could see and hear them breathing. Then they came up about 10 m ahead of me having swum under my canoe and were now heading back to the point I first saw them. They took about 4 minutes or less during each leg of travel. This was the third time in the last week I have seen them in this area. Last week when I saw them it was a bit cloudy and choppy water. There were many that time. I think there were at least 2 pods of 4-6 each. I saw similar behavior each time. I also saw similar behavior just south of Defence Island across from Porteau Cove about 3 weeks ago. I think there were at least 6 that time. One was always a lot further ahead of the others. They seemed a lot closer to shoreline that time as we were able to view them for about half an hour from the shore. They seemed to take longertime to surface then. Perhaps 5-10 minutes between sightings. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
PG, West Vancouver, BC
Thu Apr 16 2020
19:30 • est. 8 Harbour Porpoise foraging, heading north-west near Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
CC, Powell River, BC
SEA OTTERS
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Sea Otters
Sea Otters Hanging Out
Sun, 19 Apr 2020 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Sea Otters
Sea Otters Hanging Out
Sun, 19 Apr 2020 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
Victoria News
Researchers are hoping the carcass of an entangled juvenile humpback whale that washed ashore will hold clues to its death and insight into preventing further entanglements.
The whale was found already deceased on a secluded beach north of Kyuquot, a remote First Nation community on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island….
read on
CBC News
At this time of year, scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada would be out on their boats studying the grey whale migration north, but like many other things, their research has been stopped by COVID-19.
Thomas Doniol-Valcroze, a research scientist who leads the federal government’s cetacean research program, says the annual migration – which occurs every spring – is a good window of opportunity to check on the condition of the individual whales.
This year was also an important one for his team because the grey whale population suffered big losses last year, with several – including at least eight in B.C. – being found dead or stranded on beaches along the Pacific coast….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
The Guardian
A maritime patrol has filmed fin whales powering through Mediterranean waters off the coast of southern France – showing how wild animals are roaming more freely while people isolate indoors because of coronavirus. The graceful pair appeared off the Calanques National Park, a protected reserve next to the usually bustling but now locked-down Mediterranean port city of Marseille….
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King 5 News
A rare white orca is causing a stir in Puget Sound.
Scott Griffin spotted the pod of Bigg’s transient orcas swimming in Case Inlet near his home in Allyn, Washington. He put up his drone to get a better look – and spotted the nearly-white whale….
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Mother Nature Network
Known as “the unicorns of the sea,” narwhals are unique for the solitary tusk that protrudes through the tops of their heads. The horn is actually a canine front tooth that can reach as long as nine feet. But until recently scientists weren’t sure what, if any, purpose it had.
Research has pinpointed many possibilities, suggesting the tusk is used as a sensory organ, helping the narwhal pick up changes in its environment. Males of the species may even use the horns to look for food or find mates….
read on
Mother Nature Network
Dolphins never cease to amaze. As researchers delve into the underwater world of these brilliant cetaceans, we’re learning how full of surprises these creatures are, from their intricate social lives to their intelligence. Here are just some of the ways dolphins are exceptional, both physically and mentally….
read on
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