First some sad news, then some happy news. Sad news: an orca stranded in South Africa died despite attempts to help her. Researchers examining the dead whale found various plastic and other garbage items in her stomach. South Africa: Sad Story Emerges of Plett's Stranded Orca - allAfrica.com Happy news: another new SRKW calf! This one is once again from J-pod. The mother is J-28 Polaris. She had been looking kind of fat the past few months so she was suspected of being pregnant. She is 22 years old and has one other calf, J-46 Star, born in 2009. It seems these whales have discovered that one trick fertility doctors don't want you to know. New baby orca joins the local J pod | The Seattle Times
We start the year with some not good news. The following animals have died recently: A female calf found dead in British Columbia at the end of December: Orca calf found dead near Tofino Lulu of the Scottish Killer Whales: Killer whale 'Lulu' found dead off Scottish island, sparking fears for orca future - ITV News This means that the Scottish Killer Whales could be down to eight. There has not been a birth in the population since studies began of the population. Not good news at all.
Drone footage of Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales, including footage of a SR nursing her calf and a possible SR pregnancy. Also, photos of a number of NR and their calves: Drone Captures First Ever Aerial Photos Of Nursing Orca Calf | Gizmodo Australia
Rare Killer Whale Dies After Becoming Entangled in Fishing Gear A killer whale from the West Coast population, Lulu, washed up on shore dead. Researchers determined that entanglement was the likely cause of her death. The West Coast population hasn't produced a calf since 1992, making it likely that the 8 whales left will be the last of this distinctive group. Researchers are hoping that information and samples taken from the necropsy will provide new information about this little-known population, such as pollutants, reproductive status, and age.
It has been concluded using DNA that the Orca Calf found on Vancouver Island at the end of December was a member of the Alaskan Transient population. Orca calf found dead on Vancouver Island beach from Alaska, says Vancouver Aquarium - British Columbia - CBC News
An article that details recent observations of "catch sharing" between related Northern Residents. Even a single fish might be shared with a relative, this may be a way of increasing fitness for the whole pod: When killer whales catch a salmon, they’ll break it up and pass out pieces to family, B.C. study finds | National Post Also, a fascinating story about how salmon conservation in Idaho might be the solution to some of the Southern Residents problems: Why These Orcas Love Idaho | Giulia C.S. Good Stefani's Blog | Switchboard, from NRDC
J55, the most recent of the SR births is missing presumed dead: West Seattle Blog… | Southern Resident Killer Whales’ newest baby has disappeared, researchers say
Interesting article on research into Killer Whales and Sharks in Bremer Bay Canyon off of Western Australia: Bremer Bay canyon: scientists find out why killer whales and sharks are drawn to WA hotspot - ABC Rural (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
It's where all the cool kids gather. I bet it would be very cool to see. A number of Australian orcas seem to have that interesting eyepatch shape. Is that unique to the region? I'm trying to remember if I've seen it with others.
A Whale Watch operator has been fined and put on probation for feeding wild Killer Whales. She has just gotten even more probation for getting too close to Otters. Remember, no reading comments!: Monterey Bay orca whale expert Nancy Black sentenced | Monterey News - KSBW Home
This is more than a year old, but one of the proposed ICD-10 codes was for Orca bites: 'When orca bites' and other bizarre new medical codes opposed by Alabama doctors' group | AL.com Frankly I found the one for follow up visits after being sucked into a jet engine to be more bizarre.
A dead Killer Whale has washed up on the west coast of Iceland. This one appears to be a female. This happens once or twice a year according to the article: Killer whale beaches in West Iceland - Iceland Monitor
An article detailing recent research into a little studied population of killer whales found around Newfoundland and Labrador: Killer Whales: Mysterious North Atlantic Population Prefers Snacking On Minke Whales : News : Nature World News
Cool! I do love hearing about individual orca populations, it's so interesting how they're all a little (or a lot) different. Personally I hope that there will be more research into tropical populations sometime soon.
Boring but important, an article detailing a NOAA Endangered Species that is forthcoming: Endangered Whale Status Review Coming | The Corvallis Advocate
Stranded orca blessed before burial at Patea Beach | Stuff.co.nz An orca stranded in New Zealand. People rushed to help her, but she died before she could be put back into the ocean.
Toxins may be causing more male killer whale births, says researcher | Toronto Star J54 is confirmed to be male. Of the eight calves that have been a part of the Southern Resident baby boom, only one has been confirmed to be female. Five, including J54, are confirmed to be male. This is troubling for a struggling population. Researchers believe that toxins in the water are causing the skewed gender ratio. Orca calf found dead near Sooke Point - British Columbia - CBC News Also, a dead female orca calf was found near Sooke Point. Researchers will work to determine the ecotype and cause of death. Because of its small size, it's not likely to be a SRKW that we know.
Dopey Dick, killer whale that swam into Derry in 1977, still alive and well | Environment | The Guardian In 1977 an adult male orca grabbed the attention of many when he swam up a river to a city in Ireland. The orca, nicknamed Dopey Dick, has at long last been identified as a whale that's still alive. Turns out he's Comet, a member of the west coast orcas. Because he was an adult male in 1977, that means he's likely around 58 years old. That's crazy!
Lots of Southern Resident news today, most of it sad. 2 orcas found dead in B.C. waters part of endangered population | CTV Vancouver Island News A dead orca found near Vancouver has been identified as 20 year old SR male L95 "Nigel". The dead female calf found a few weeks ago has been confirmed as an SRKW. The calf was estimated to be about two weeks old. Researchers have yet to determine the cause of death for either of the whales, though they suspect the calf died due to birthing complications. All terribly sad, though I am glad that at least the bodies washed up so necropsies could be performed. https://www.facebook.com/OrcaNetwor...79401335600/10156916172860601/?type=3&theater Finally, J53, one of the newer SR calves has been identified as female. Hopefully she'll reach adulthood and produce some calves, as the population could really use more females right now.
https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaMarineScienceAssociation/posts/1173708256021323 Four orcas got trapped in shallow, icy water in Russia. Several people came to the rescue and worked for hours to get the whales out. There may have been a fifth whale trapped too far away to rescue. The rescue for the four whales was successful.
