Orcas have made a rare appearance in Vancouver Harbour, surprising and delighting residents who caught a glimpse of them. The three whales seen swimming between the Lions Gate Bridge and the Second Narrows Bridge are believed to be from an Alaskan population, as per information from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). These whales, previously undocumented in British Columbia, are now under study by DFO scientists to gain insights into their behavior.
Jared Towers, the executive director of Bay Cetology, notes that most orcas observed in the Salish Sea are typically well-known, such as transient orcas, also known as Bigg’s killer whales. However, the recent sightings of these three orcas indicate they do not belong to the usual resident killer whale population, showing genetic distinctions and unique DNA and vocalizations.
Distinctive scars near the dorsal fins of the whales suggest they might be oceanic whales, possibly originating from deep, open waters. Marine mammal researcher Josh McInnes from the University of British Columbia points out that the presence of marks believed to come from cookiecutter sharks indicates a connection to offshore habitats. While sightings of oceanic killer whales along the coast are rare, these recent sightings in Vancouver mark an exceptional occurrence.
Experts are intrigued by the unusual behavior of the whales lingering in the busy harbour, with concerns raised about the possibility of them feeling psychologically trapped due to the high traffic and noise. Despite no recent sightings, researchers are monitoring the situation closely to determine if the whales have left the area.
Researchers are calling on individuals who capture images of the whales to upload them to Finwave.io to aid in identifying the orcas. It is crucial for onlookers to maintain a safe distance from the animals, adhering to Canada’s regulations that require vessels to stay at least 400 meters away from killer whales in southern British Columbia coastal waters.