Whales Like to Play
Whales and dolphins are very social and they enjoy playing. Our cover image shows an Orca with some kelp in its mouth. The Orca may be playing with it putting it on its head like a hat or the whale may be exploring its size or texture. Other behaviours observed during the past few weeks include Orca breaching, doing tail lobs, and hunting. Sightings of Orca has increased in many areas including in Georgia Strait.
Sightings of Humpback whales have also increased with a number of them appearing off Campbell River, Quadra Island, and Powell River. One Humpback whale made its way into Sechelt Inlet and a few have appeared in Howe Sound. One Humpback was even more adventurous, making its way deep into Burrard Inlet in Vancouver and breaching behind a sailboat. A few times each year, Orca swim into Burrard Inlet but it is extremely rare to see Humpbacks swim into the inlet.
Rounding our report is one sighting of a small group of Grey whales off Texada Island, a few sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins, and a few sightings of Dall’s porpoises. Of note is one pod of dolphins was large numbering at approximately 80 members and one pod of Dall’s porpoises numbering at 30.
Boaters, please use caution on the water. 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.
The Federal Government (DFO) has issued the following statement about watching whales in the wild: “To address disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect starting June 1, 2020 in all southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. The Marine Mammal Regulations continue to remain in effect year-round, including maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins OR 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.”
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.
Instagram and Twitter:
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: 2020-009
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun May 03 2020
14:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ at False Bay, Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait. From a friend’s sightings and pictures. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon May 04 2020
09:05 • Biggs Orca leaving Northwest Bay heading into Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
17:09 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north between Denman Island Ferry Terminal and Union Bay, Baynes Sound. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
17:24 • Biggs Orca ◦T018 Esperanza,T019s◦ in Baynes Sound. It also looks like there are some small fins, but just saw pictures. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
19:45 • Biggs Orca heading north off Kin Beach Park north of Comox mid Georgia Strait. One big fin and a few smaller fins. From a friend. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
19:55 • Biggs Orca at Kin Beach Park north of Comox, Georgia Strait.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue May 05 2020
12:14 • Biggs Orca heading south off Black Creek, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:17 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s◦ heading south near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T018’s and others south of Campbell River
Tue, 5 May 2020 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T018’s and others south of Campbell River
Tue, 5 May 2020 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:41 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s◦ moving slowly, heading south, just south of Sentry Shoal mid Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed May 06 2020
09:19 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north off Mace Point on Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Includes 1 calf.
Craig Johnson, Powell River, BC
Thu May 07 2020
06:30 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading north off Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Included 1 big bull.
06:45 • Biggs Orca heading west passing Venture Point, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel. The Orca heading into Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
06:50 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south off Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
13:20 • Biggs Orca heading south off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri May 08 2020
04:50 • est. 6-7 Biggs Orca breaching and hunting in front of Blind Channel. Orca hunting a seal lion, possibly.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:30 • 2 Biggs Orca travelling, heading south-east near Flora Islet off Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. 1 large, 1 much smaller, travelling together but quite far apart. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
KO, Hornby Island, BC
11:00 • 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south at Neck Point, north of Nanaimo, Georgia Strait. Two large males, one smaller (maybe female). ▫ Observed from Shore
LJ, Nanaimo, BC
Sat May 09 2020
12:30 • est. 6-8 Biggs Orca travelling from Rebecca Rocks to Vivian Island , and then out to the middle of Georgia Strait. They headed west from Vivan Island towards mid-channel, and veered south. The remained just north of the ferry line, west of Rebecca Rocks, slightly towards mid-channel. Once other boats arrived, they appeared to stay more in front of Harwood Island. We remained at times 400-500+ meters from them, at times more. The closest pass would have been a couple hundred meters while we were shut down when they surfaced. Breaching, tail lobbing, spy hopping, a lot of surface time throughout the day. A baby within the group. Interesting vocalizations at the surface recorded in my audio. Observed from early afternoon to late afternoon. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Texada Island
Sat, 9 May 2020 – 1 items
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Texada Island
Sat, 9 May 2020 – 1 items
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
14:07 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T046B1B,T046s,T060s◦ heading south off Gillies Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales Enjoying a Sunny Day
Sat, 9 May 2020 – 9 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales Enjoying a Sunny Day
Sat, 9 May 2020 – 9 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:47 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T046B1B,T046s,T060s◦ moving slowly, heading south to the south of Gillies Bay, Texada Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Multiple Pods of Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 9 May 2020 – 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Multiple Pods of Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Sat, 9 May 2020 – 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:44 • Biggs Orca heading north off Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
18:36 • Biggs Orca heading north, just north of Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:36 • Biggs Orca heading north off Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
Sun May 10 2020
08:18 • est. 8-10 Biggs Orca ◦T018 Esperanza,T019s,T049As,T049Bs,T075C,T075C1,T075C2◦ in Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Pictures from Jos. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
11:00 • Biggs Orca heading south at Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:45 • est. 8-10 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south, south of Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
12:45 • est. 6 Biggs Orca travelling, heading south-east off Whaling Station Bay at Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Maybe 3 females and 2 babies. ▫ Observed from Shore
KO, Hornby Island, BC
14:12 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T023s,T090s◦ moving slowly, heading south approaching Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T002Cs, T090s, and T023s seen near Quadra Island
Sun, 10 May 2020 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
T002Cs, T090s, and T023s seen near Quadra Island
Sun, 10 May 2020 – 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:20 • Biggs Orca heading north-east, north of Mitlenatch Island headed to Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
18:30 • est. 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north between the boat launch in Union Bay and Denman Island, Baynes Sound. We spotted them as we were driving south on the Old Island Highway because of lots of traffic stopped along the road in Union Bay watching the orcas from shore. There were also some small boats in the area observing. There appeared to be 3 of them, I managed to video one low breach but from so far away identification would be impossible. They were off shore about 1/3 of the way between Union Bay and Denman Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
MO, Fanny Bay, BC
18:50 • Biggs Orca heading north past Union Bay, Baynes Sound.
19:35 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading north past Union Bay. Small fins.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
Tue May 12 2020
19:25 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north in Dodd Narrows towards Nanaimo Harbour, Stuart Channel. As seen on the CVWS facebook page. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed May 13 2020
17:57 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca heading south off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
18:55 • Biggs Orca in between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu May 14 2020
–:– • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca near Tillicum Bay, Sechelt Inlet. Observed in the afternoon. ▫ Second Hand
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:06 • Biggs Orca heading south by Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. A large pod.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
19:40 • Biggs Orca heading south mid channel off Copper Cliffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Visible from the spit.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca at Campbell River
Thu, 14 May 2020 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca at Campbell River
Thu, 14 May 2020 – 3 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri May 15 2020
06:50 • 2 Biggs Orca off the light at Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
17:34 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca heading south just passing Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun May 17 2020
11:30 • est. 4 Biggs Orca travelling, heading east off Point Atkinson at West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. Includes one large male. ▫ Observed from Shore
TK, West Vancouver, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue May 05 2020
08:56 • est. 10 Orca off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy angling towards Shelter Point, Georgia Strait. 3 bulls/males.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
Thu May 07 2020
06:55 • est. 8+ Orca breaching, off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel. Spread out.
06:55 • est. 2 Orca off Raza Island, Deer Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri May 08 2020
–:– • Orca heading north up Toba Inlet. Pod was observed in the afternoon. ▫ Second Hand
–:– • Orca heading south in Skookumchuck Narrows, Sechelt Inlet. Observed in the afternoon. ▫ Second Hand
08:15 • est. 3+ Orca heading north off Ballenas Islands, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
10:00 • Orca heading south 1 mile east of Whaling Station Bay at Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Possibly the Southern Residents.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:05 • est. 4-5 Orca heading south from Pryce Channel into Deer Passage. One big bull seen.
18:35 • Orca off Wakefield Creek, heading towards Halfmoon Bay, Georgia Strait. Large pod observed. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sat May 09 2020
09:30 • 20+ Orca in Winter Harbour, Forward Inlet.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:50 • est. 3-4 Orca heading north off Powell River, angling towards Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
10:30 • est. 6+ Orca on the southwest side of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
11:00 • 6 Orca heading north in Homfray Channel. ▫ Second Hand
19:45 • Orca heading north off Keats Island towards Gibsons, Collingwood Channel. One large fin in the pod. Information from Facebook posting,. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon May 11 2020
10:16 • Orca heading north off of Mistaken Island towards French Creek, Georgia Strait.
16:30 • Orca heading south off Dover Bay in north Nanaimo, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
17:05 • est. 4-5 Orca heading north-west tight to mainland shore, bottom of Bute Inlet. One big fin seen.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu May 14 2020
07:00 • Orca heading south at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:28 • 8 Orca off Point Holmes southeast of the airport at Comox, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri May 15 2020
09:26 • 8 Orca heading north at Sentry Shoal towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Split in two groups 100 yards apart. ▫ Second Hand
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon May 18 2020
08:23 • est. 4 Orca heading north by Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. One Humpback seen nearby.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
10:45 • 4 Orca heading east through Baker Passage. Heading towards the Copeland Islands.
Terry Brown and Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca Enjoying a Sunny Day
Fri, 8 May 2020 – 7 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca Enjoying a Sunny Day
Fri, 8 May 2020 – 7 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
HUMPBACK WHALES
Thu May 07 2020
17:08 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-east 1/4 mile southwest of Hutt Island close to shore at Bowen Island, Collingwood Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri May 08 2020
15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Rotary Beach Park in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Headed towards the Pier, on the Vancouver Island side of the channel. In back eddy.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
17:05 • 2 Humpback Whales off Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
18:27 • Humpback Whales heading north at Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
19:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Copper Cliffs, Discovery Passage. Mom and baby observed.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sat May 09 2020
–:– • 2 Humpback Whales in and out of Winter Harbour, Forward Inlet. Small whales. Been in the area for 3 days.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
13:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
14:10 • Humpback Whales heading south off April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sun May 10 2020
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
14:30 • Humpback Whales off Eastbourne on Keats Island, Collingwood Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:11 • 2 Humpback Whales in Lambert Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon May 11 2020
08:10 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north mid channel off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
09:45 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north just south of McMullen Point close to Vancouver Island, Discovery Passage. One whale leading.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
15:20 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Knox Bay, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
19:25 • Humpback Whales heading north passing Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
19:46 • Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading north by Van Anda on Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
20:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north past Van Anda, Texada Island. ▫ Second Hand
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Texada Island
Mon, 11 May 2020 – 1 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales near Texada Island
Mon, 11 May 2020 – 1 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Wed May 13 2020
09:08 • est. 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading west at Neptune Bank, North Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. 10-15 minute dives, seemed to be swimming around the large green docked ship at the N. Van port. It was swimming along side a sail boat and breached. Not sure if there was more than one – one person said they saw three of them. It looked like a smaller one breached and possibly a larger one was at the stern of the ship. ▫ Observed from Shore
Alexis Zornio, Burnaby, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching in Vancouver
Wed, 13 May 2020 – 1 items
Alexis Zornio, Burnaby, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching in Vancouver
Wed, 13 May 2020 – 1 items
Alexis Zornio, Burnaby, BC
16:31 • Humpback Whales breaching, at Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:41 • 3 Humpback Whales off the sandbanks at Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Humpbacks dove when Orca appeared around 5:57pm.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
18:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading in between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Other Humpbacks in the group are heading southwest.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
19:00 • Humpback Whales heading north off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
19:30 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza,BCX Spotlight◦ heading south off Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Group included BCY Neptune.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales at Texada Island
Wed, 13 May 2020 – 6 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales at Texada Island
Wed, 13 May 2020 – 6 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
20:15 • 2+ Humpback Whales close to the shore of Van Anda, Texada Island.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu May 14 2020
09:00 • Humpback Whales heading south off Langdale, Collingwood Channel. From the Sunshine Coast Whales & Dolphins Sightings Facebook Page. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
09:40 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south off No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. Small whale.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri May 15 2020
07:05 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales across from Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
08:20 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, heading north at Sandy Hook Park across from Carlson Point, Sechelt Inlet. The whale took ten minute dives, fluke was never seen. It had prop strike scars before the dorsal. Did not see flesh or blubber. Seen in Sechelt Inlet which is very rare. Concerned because there are so many crab and prawn traps throughout – it did not appear to be struggling though. ▫ Observed from Shore
Erin Boyle, Sechelt, BC
08:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south near Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
15:30 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales playing, off Knox Bay, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Sun May 17 2020
10:50 • Humpback Whales at Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait. Between the dock and the breakwater.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
18:04 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Willow Point and Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
Mon May 18 2020
08:23 • 1 Humpback Whales by Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. About four Orca seen nearby.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
09:15 • est. 1 Humpback Whales at Cortez Reef off Cortes Island, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
10:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north by Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Cow and calf were seen.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
11:25 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:46 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading south mid channel off Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:15 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, pec slapping, and sleeping, at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. This occured from 14:15 till 15:00.
16:00 • est. 1 Humpback Whales resting, between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Specifically the cell tower on Quadra Island.
Terry Brown and Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
GREY WHALES
Fri May 08 2020
16:00 • est. 2-3 Grey Whales taking long dives, heading north-west between North Thormanby Island and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
JH, Vancouver, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed May 06 2020
06:55 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet. Group of small lags.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:25 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins milling, near Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu May 14 2020
–:– • est. 50 PWS Dolphins near Tillicum Bay, Sechelt Inlet. Observed in the afternoon. ▫ Second Hand
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 17 2020
11:05 • PWS Dolphins heading north at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. Small pod.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
16:13 • est. 80+ PWS Dolphins heading south at Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage. Came from Nodales Channel.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed May 06 2020
08:00 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise heading south near Purcell Point, Bute Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu May 07 2020
07:40 • est. 8 Dalls Porpoise off Orford Bay, Bute Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:40 • est. 30+ Dalls Porpoise near Johns Point, East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel. Very active.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:00 • est. 8 Dalls Porpoise off Boyd Point, Bute Inlet. Active.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Mon May 11 2020
09:00 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise at Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed May 13 2020
09:30 • 6 Dalls Porpoise at Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sun May 17 2020
09:15 • 6 Dalls Porpoise off Beaver Inlet, Loughborough Inlet.
10:45 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise heading south in Blind Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
SEA OTTERS
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Sea Otters
Sea Otters Hanging Out
Sat, 16 May 2020 – 10 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Sea Otters
Sea Otters Hanging Out
Sat, 16 May 2020 – 10 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CTV News
B.C. mammal researchers are intrigued after a Haida Gwaii woman made the unfortunate, yet rare, discovery of a dead striped dolphin on a local beach….
read on
read on
Vancouver Is Awesome
Vancouverites weren’t the only ones drawn to local waters over the weekend. A video shows orcas swimming in the sunshine near Lighthouse Park in Vancouver on Friday evening [May 8].
In the recording, a boat is seen off in the distance at Juniper Point and an orca surfaces for air. A short while later, a second whale surfaces, and it looks like a delicate spray of mist comes out of its blowhole….
read on
Canada’s National Observer
Expanded protections for endangered southern resident killer whales off British Columbia’s coast focus on contaminants, noise, physical disturbances and accessibility of chinook salmon, the orca’s primary prey.
The actions announced by several government departments Thursday [May 7] include a ban on tourist or whale watching vessels with over 12 passengers until the end of June, a measure aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19….
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Independent (UK)
A damning new report by an international group of scientists indicates the dolphin population of the Indian Ocean has been decimated, with almost 90 per cent of the animals wiped out by industrial fishing since 1980.
The study suggests this extraordinary extermination is due to the widespread use of huge gillnets used to catch tuna….
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Mongabay
Sri Lanka is known for the blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) that occur throughout the year in the waters around this Indian Ocean island. But a lesser-known fact is that this biodiversity hotspot is also, for a brief time of the year, a gathering spot for massive groups of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), the largest toothed whale and marine predator….
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Oregon State University
Three years of "health check-ups" on Oregon’s summer resident gray whales shows a compelling relationship between whales’ overall body condition and changing ocean conditions that likely limited availability of prey for the mammals, a new study from Oregon State University indicates.
Researchers from the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory at OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute used drones to monitor 171 whales off the Oregon Coast during the foraging season between June and October in 2016, 2017 and 2018….
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