A group of orcas recently seen in Vancouver Harbour has sparked excitement among residents and marine experts due to their unique characteristics. These three whales, believed to be from an Alaskan population, are a rare sight in British Columbia waters, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
The DFO has deployed a team of scientists from Nanaimo to observe and study these orcas as part of ongoing research to understand their behavior and origin. Jared Towers, the executive director of Bay Cetology, highlighted the distinctiveness of these orcas compared to the common transient orcas typically found in the region.
The unfamiliar orcas have genetic differences, unique DNA, and vocalizations that set them apart from the local orca populations. Experts have been able to track these whales to a previous sighting near Anchorage, Alaska, indicating their long-distance travel to Vancouver.
Notably, the presence of distinctive scars on the orcas suggests they may be oceanic whales rather than coastal transient orcas. Marine mammal researcher Josh McInnes pointed out that these scars, likely from encounters with cookiecutter sharks, are more commonly found in whales inhabiting deep, open-ocean environments.
While the exact reason for the orcas’ visit to Vancouver remains unclear, researchers are closely monitoring their movements. Aly Kohlman, a marine naturalist, emphasized the need for further observation before determining the specific population these orcas belong to.
Concerns have been raised about the orcas’ extended stay in the busy harbor, with experts suggesting they may be psychologically trapped due to the high traffic and noise levels in the area. Researchers are urging the public to share any photographs of the whales for identification purposes while also respecting the Marine Mammal Regulations that mandate a safe distance from killer whales in coastal waters.