Cetacean Pods

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Cetacean Pods


Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling together
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Pod sizes vary from one species to another. Transient Biggs Orca tend to travel in pods that number between 4 to 8 individuals. Occasionally, larger pods of Transients form that might include up to 30 individuals. Resident Orca tend to travel in large groups which is one way to distinguish them from Transient Orca. Pacific White-Sided dolphins can be in small groups with around 20 individuals or they can be in a large pod that may include a few hundred individuals. Some Humpback whales may be observed in small groups of 3 or 4 whales, but groups may form with up to 10 individuals when they are foraging. Porpoises generally are in groups that are less than 10 individuals. The next time you observe Cetaceans, count the number of individuals in the pod and let us know the size of their groups.

The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay 400m away from all killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2024.” For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca OR while viewing any Cetaceans that are resting or with a calf. When viewing whales, dolphins, and porpoises under other circumstances not described above, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept.
A great resource for up to date Canadian or US regulations: Be Whale Wise Guidelines

WOWs works throughout the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.

Society News & Events
Donatons:
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Websites:
Whales and Dolphins BC is our educational website where these reports are also published and our Wild Ocean Whale site is our Society website. Information on our Feral Cat Initiative has been updated.
Instagram and Twitter: Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter (on hold for now) at WhalesDolphins 

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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? Updates on current availabilities and revised links will be posted here.
Review our previous Volunteer Job Postings Job Postings are slowly being revamped (we're volunteers too, so sorry for the delays) and not yet on our web sites. 

Data For Research:
For research access to 33,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2023-020
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri Sep 01 2023
11:24 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ spread out, between Marina Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:17 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ moving slowly, heading south, south of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales moving slowly in Georgia Strait
Fri, 1 Sep 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales moving slowly in Georgia Strait
Fri, 1 Sep 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • Biggs Orca in front of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Radio, overheard or call out
20:22 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading south from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales at sunset
Fri, 1 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales at sunset
Fri, 1 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Sep 02 2023
11:45 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca tail lobs, heading north-west off Grassy Point Community Park, Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Looked like a baby in the group. Thought they were porpoises but had whale tails and white orca markings. Some pinkish brown colouring. ▫ Observed from Shore
KP, Vancouver, BC
15:45 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait
Sat, 2 Sep 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait
Sat, 2 Sep 2023 – 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:14 • Biggs Orca along the NW side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:35 • 3 Biggs Orca breaching, heading south-east about 200-m offshore from Camp Byng west of Gibsons, Georgia Strait. Breached about 30 metres from 12 foot tin craft while fishing, around Camp Byng, Male with 4-5 foot fin, possible infant and mother, under water for around 10 minutes, breached again further down the beach. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Matteus R., Gibsons, BC
Mon Sep 04 2023
10:09 • 6 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south by Williams Beach, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Sep 05 2023
16:10 • 3 Biggs Orca heading east at Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Sep 06 2023
10:56 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ taking long dives, heading south-west, northwest of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
12:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ taking long dives, heading south by the Pinnacles, south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling in Georgia Strait
Wed, 6 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling in Georgia Strait
Wed, 6 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:15 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T077C,T101A,T101B◦ off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Two big fins. T101 herself is still missing..
15:17 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south-west out of Baker Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Sep 07 2023
07:20 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC
07:25 • 5 Biggs Orca off Powell River.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
08:26 • Biggs Orca heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
08:30 • Biggs Orca by Raza Island, Calm Channel.
10:00 • 3 Biggs Orca by Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:45 • 4 Biggs Orca heading into Okeover Inlet.
Sonje Boyd, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
12:28 • Biggs Orca ◦T077C,T101s◦ heading south approaching No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales moving together
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales moving together
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:10 • Biggs Orca at Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
15:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T077C◦ heading south by Walcan Seafood Plant, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
16:40 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T077C◦ heading south by April Point, Discovery Passage.
17:14 • Biggs Orca heading south in Thulin Passage, Malaspina Strait.
17:14 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T077C◦ heading south doing 7 knots by Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
17:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T077C◦ off Cape Mudge Village, heading towards Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Discovery Passage.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:55 • 4 Biggs Orca moving quickly, southeast of Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait. 1 big fin.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
Fri Sep 08 2023
10:34 • 3 Biggs Orca hunting, near Okeover Arm Park, Okeover Inlet. Hunting seal.
Iwan Van Veen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
12:14 • Biggs Orca ◦T090s◦ heading south in Lancelot Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T090s – heading south in Lancelot Inlet
Fri, 8 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T090s – heading south in Lancelot Inlet
Fri, 8 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:10 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north in Malaspina Inlet.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
14:00 • Biggs Orca heading south by Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.
15:00 • Biggs Orca heading north passing Cape Mudge Lighthouse mid-channel Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
19:39 • Biggs Orca heading south in front of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T077C and T101 brothers – cruising Discovery Passage
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales – T077C and T101 brothers – cruising Discovery Passage
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling mid channel
Fri, 8 Sep 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales travelling mid channel
Fri, 8 Sep 2023 – 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Thu Sep 07 2023
13:50 • NRKW Orca heading west in Race Passage, Johnstone Strait.
14:05 • NRKW Orca off Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Sep 02 2023
09:00 • Orca off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Sep 04 2023
07:51 • 1 Orca heading south, Race Passage, Johnstone Strait. Orca had a big fin (i.e. a male).
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Sep 01 2023
07:52 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
07:52 • 2 Humpback Whales towards Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:49 • 2 Humpback Whales near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks off Sentry Shoal
Fri, 1 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks off Sentry Shoal
Fri, 1 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:24 • 10 Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Within a 3 mile area.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, northwest of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
15:48 • 2 Humpback Whales towards Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Sat Sep 02 2023
07:56 • 2 Humpback Whales south of the ferry route between Whaletown and Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:21 • 2+ Humpback Whales breaching, heading north towards Vivian Island from Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
08:53 • 2+ Humpback Whales out past Coho (Kiddie) Point at the NW tip of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
09:13 • 3 Humpback Whales heading east from Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
10:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west between Feather Cove and Sarah Point, Desolation Sound.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
10:11 • Humpback Whales in front of Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:50 • est. 7 Humpback Whales breaching, spread out Manson Passage to Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:50 • 2 Humpback Whales out from Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
11:09 • Humpback Whales below the Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:22 • 2 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:30 • 4 Humpback Whales at the Pinnacles, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback showing off its fluke!
Sat, 2 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback showing off its fluke!
Sat, 2 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:44 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0785 Mathematician◦ between Mystery Reef and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales – BCY0785 Mathematician – between Mystery Reef and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 2 Sep 2023 – 5 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales – BCY0785 Mathematician – between Mystery Reef and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait
Sat, 2 Sep 2023 – 5 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:10 • est. 5-6 Humpback Whales five miles off Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:08 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales between Passage Island and Bowen Island, Georgia Strait. Viewed from Whytecliff Park with binoculars. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Sun Sep 03 2023
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off the mouth of Waddington Channel, Pryce Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
13:22 • 2 Humpback Whales on the east side of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:22 • Humpback Whales heading north close to shore by Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
14:22 • 2 Humpback Whales near Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Actively rolling around with pec slaps.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north mi-strait out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:55 • 2 Humpback Whales lunge feeding off the dock at the Toba Wilderness Lodge, Pryce Channel. Same two Humpbacks as this morning.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks heading south at Coulter Island, Sutil Channel
Sun, 3 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks heading south at Coulter Island, Sutil Channel
Sun, 3 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:42 • Humpback Whales heading south through Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:49 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:10 • Humpback Whales heading north heading back through Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Sep 04 2023
10:30 • est. 4 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north-west between Hornby Island and Cape Lazo, Georgia Strait. Two whales traveling NW off NE end of Hornby island, both breaching with some big fin flops. Two more about 500m-1km away closer to Texada island traveling S and spouting. Too far to see much more, but assume same species. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
LC, Vancouver, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching by Hornby Island
Mon, 4 Sep 2023 – 1 items
LC, Vancouver, BC

Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching by Hornby Island
Mon, 4 Sep 2023 – 1 items
LC, Vancouver, BC
12:00 • 3 Humpback Whales mid-strait out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
12:20 • 3 Humpback Whales by Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
13:38 • Humpback Whales heading north out from Spirit Square by the Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
Nicholas Bodington, Whistler, BC
14:30 • Humpback Whales between Hernando Island and Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
14:30 • Humpback Whales by Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
15:45 • Humpback Whales by Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:55 • Humpback Whales quarter of the way towards Grilse Point from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
19:25 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, heading south just south of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Tue Sep 05 2023
10:57 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 5 Sep 2023 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 5 Sep 2023 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Marina Island and Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading north between Marina Island and Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel
Tue, 5 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales heading north between Marina Island and Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel
Tue, 5 Sep 2023 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:57 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south mid-channel, north of Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales north of Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel
Tue, 5 Sep 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales north of Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel
Tue, 5 Sep 2023 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:24 • est. 2 Humpback Whales breaching, out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Wed Sep 06 2023
17:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south third of the way from the Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) to south Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Thu Sep 07 2023
08:26 • Humpback Whales heading north passing Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
09:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
10:22 • 2 Humpback Whales out from Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
10:22 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:54 • est. 7-8 Humpback Whales around Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:30 • Humpback Whales east of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
12:00 • Humpback Whales in front of Crescent Bay, Georgia Strait.
12:40 • 2 Humpback Whales by Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:43 • 2 Humpback Whales east of the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks taking a dive!
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks taking a dive!
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:40 • 2 Humpback Whales at the entrance to Baker Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Sep 08 2023
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, looking towards Harwood Island from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:10 • 2+ Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:30 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching, two thirds of the way from the Powell River Viewpoint to Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
19:51 • Humpback Whales mid channel at the north end of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback – Kelp Creature – giving a dive!
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback – Kelp Creature – giving a dive!
Thu, 7 Sep 2023 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Fri Sep 01 2023
07:18 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins heading south, north of We Wai Kai Village, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Sep 02 2023
10:41 • est. 10 PWS Dolphins heading west at Feather Cove, Desolation Sound.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Thu Sep 07 2023
11:26 • est. 12+ PWS Dolphins heading north off Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:50 • PWS Dolphins heading west in Race Passage, Johnstone Strait.
14:05 • PWS Dolphins off Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Sep 08 2023
08:30 • PWS Dolphins at Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait. Harassing cruise ships. Big group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:45 • PWS Dolphins at the north end of Okeover Inlet.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins travelling together
Sat, 9 Sep 2023 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins travelling together
Sat, 9 Sep 2023 – 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sat Sep 02 2023
17:50 • Harbour Porpoise 300-m south of Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel.
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Thu Sep 07 2023
13:00 • est. 2-3 Harbour Porpoise across from Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage. Where the orca T101s and T077s are!.
Radio, overheard or call out

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The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) captures birth of sperm whale in Dominica’s waters (with videos and photos of event)
Dominica News Online

The nonprofit organization Project CETI, along with its local charitable organization Project CETI Dominica, has documented an extraordinary event in Dominica’s waters: the birth of a sperm whale.

The CETI team was recording whale communication codas when they noticed unusual communication patterns among the whales. Using synced drones and hydrophones, CETI captured the birth and the events before and after it. The team recorded 11 whales working together to support the birth and lift the newborn whale out of the water to breathe. The whales carried the calf for hours to help it stay afloat and breathe while its tail was still furled. Later, pilot whales and dolphins joined the sperm whales….
read on

Unusual pod of sea creatures make “incredible’ visit to Iceland harbor.
Miami Herald

A huge group of sea creatures was spotted close to shore in Iceland – for the fourth year in a row. Long-finned pilot whales made their return to the Akureyri harbor as of Aug. 31, according to a Facebook post from Whale Watching Akureyri.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article278859284.html#storylink=cpy…
read on

First Observation Of Grief Behavior Seen In Cuvier’s Beaked Whale Mother
IFLScience
Grief has been observed in the animal kingdom in all manner of different species from primates that walk on land to the mammals that swim in the planet’s oceans. Now, for the first time, grief and nurturant behaviors have been observed in the Cuvier’s beaked whale, one of the most elusive whale species on Earth….
read on

RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
BIG STORY: New species of dolphins found in S.C.
State House Report
The Lowcountry’s small population of estuary dolphins, long thought to be common bottlenose dolphins, are actually their own species, according to federal and university researchers.

After a decade of research analyzing DNA samples and morphological data from tissue samples, skulls and vertebral columns, researchers found coastal and estuarine dolphins evolved independently from their offshore counterparts and are more closely related to dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Researchers came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the University of Miami….
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