Killer whales all over the world have been catching a lot of main stream news this past week. Killer whales, also known as Orcas, and some of the most widely recognized cetaceans in the world, and are found in all the earth's oceans. Just last week, an Orca pod was sighted near Kona, Hawaii! Researchers from Cascadia Research Collective reported that this is only the third time in 14 years of research that they've sighted Orcas in Hawaiian waters. More on their ongoing research here.
Another feel good article about killer whales in the wild has been floating around in recent months and is now popping up more regularly. Killer whales have tightly knit family structures. Juveniles Orcas are often "babysat" by their older siblings, uncles, or post-reproductive females. Matriarchs, such as J2 Granny (over 100 years old!) from our Southern Resident community, likely pass on decades of knowledge to younger generations. The family structure is one of the most notable characteristics of a killer whale community. This article explains how a pod of Orcas takes care of one of their own. A young disabled killer whale was spotted near South Africa and is missing two fins, the dorsal & right pectoral fin. Because of the missing fins, he is unable to hunt for itself. Rather than be left to fend for itself or die, the Orca appears to be cared for by members of its pod, which share their food with the youngster.
And lastly,this incredible video from southeast Alaska. Killer whales are the oceans' top predators and have a very complex sensory system. However, even they make mistakes. This young female Orca was predating a seal when it got stuck on a shallow reef at low tide. She was eventually freed with the help of two fishermen and a rising tide.
Brittany Office & Reservations Manager San Juan Outfitters