Last month, the ailing southern resident killer whales of the Pacific gave researchers a rare moment of hope: a new calf was spotted swimming alongside her mother. Until that point, only one calf had appeared this year, only to die a few months later. But by mid-October, this new calf, named L128, also appeared to […]
Tag: Orca
Orca baby born to Washington’s L pod
An orca has been born to the southern residents: L128, calf of a first-time, 31-year-old mom, L90. The baby is tiny, with clear fetal folds, making it probably about three days old. It was seen for the first time on Sunday, said Michael Weiss, research director for the Center for Whale Research, which confirmed the […]
Fishing in a fog: Ship noise hampers orcas’ hunting success
Underwater noise from ships is making it tough for killer whales, or orcas, to find and catch their favorite fish, a recent study has found. Orcas (Orcinus orca) rely heavily on sound to hunt. They emit ultrasonic echolocation clicks that bounce off objects. By listening for the echoes of these clicks, the orcas can identify […]
Orca Ship Attacks Spark New Danger Map and Safety Guidelines
Orca attacks off the coast of Spain have sparked new warnings and safety guidelines from officials. The Maritime Safety and Rescue Society released a map detailing the areas of concern so that sailors may avoid them. The areas run between the Gulf of Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. The officials hope the new guidelines […]
Orca Stranded in Remote Lagoon is Successfully Returned to Open Water
A young orca calf found herself trapped in the shallow waters of Little Espinosa inlet, on the north-western fringes of Vancouver Island. Named kʷiisaḥiʔis (pronounced kwee-sahay-is), which translates to Brave Little Hunter, the two-year-old calf faced weeks of uncertainty following the tragic loss of her mother, Spong, on 23 March. The plight of kʷiisaḥiʔis captured […]
Extinction risk to southern resident orcas accelerating as researchers raise alarm
Orca scientist Rob Williams always thought that conservation was a knowledge problem, that once science showed why a species was declining, people would fix it. But new research concludes otherwise. Even in the case of one of the world’s most charismatic species, the endangered southern resident killer whales that frequent Puget Sound are facing an […]
5 Adorable Whale Moms and Their Babies!
Welcome to the mesmerizing world of whales! These giant creatures swimming in the deep ocean are not just known for their size – they’re also amazing parents. We’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their family life through videos. These clips show us the special bond between whale moms and their babies! 1. Humpback […]
Orca Dies After Being Stranded Off Canadian Coast Despite Rescue Efforts
Tragedy struck off the coast of Canada’s Vancouver Island as efforts to rescue a stranded killer whale ended in sorrow. The stranded orca, identified as T109A3, sadly perished despite the valiant efforts of residents and marine officials. She left behind a calf. The incident unfolded when members of the Ehattisaht First Nation spotted the distressed […]