A trio of orcas recently spotted in Vancouver Harbour has sparked curiosity among residents and marine experts alike. Unlike the typical orcas seen in British Columbia waters, these whales are believed to be part of an Alaska population, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Scientists from DFO are conducting a thorough assessment of the unfamiliar whales, which have not been previously documented in the province. The DFO team based in Nanaimo, B.C., has been closely monitoring the whales as part of their study.
Jared Towers, the executive director of Bay Cetology, highlighted that the majority of orcas observed in the Salish Sea are well-known transient orcas, also known as Bigg’s killer whales. However, the recent trio of orcas do not belong to the local West Coast Transient population, indicating genetic differences and unique characteristics.
Experts have noted distinctive markings on the whales that suggest they may be oceanic whales. The presence of scars near their dorsal fins, believed to be from cookiecutter sharks found in deep open waters, further supports this theory. While it remains unclear why the whales ventured into Vancouver, researchers are intrigued by this rare sighting.
The behavior of the whales, spending an extended period in the busy harbor, has raised concerns among experts. Aly Kohlman, a marine naturalist, suggested that the whales might be psychologically trapped in the unfamiliar and noisy environment of the harbor, filled with various maritime traffic.
Researchers are encouraging the public to share any photographs of the whales on Finwave.io to aid in identifying and tracking these unique animals. However, it is crucial to maintain a safe distance from the whales as per Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations, which mandate a minimum of 400 meters distance from killer whales in southern B.C. coastal waters.
