Tourists along California’s coast got the thrill of a lifetime when the boat they were sailing on as part of a whale-watching excursion just happened to be in the area when a gray whale gave birth to her calf right there in front of them! The lucky folks were cruising along with Captain Dave’s Dana […]
Tag: orcas
When Fins Fly — Face-Off in Salish Sea Between Humpback Whales and Orcas a Sight to Behold
It’s always intense when two apex predators go at it, but it’s seldom caught at sea. In this case, two humpback whales were confronted with a pesky pack of orcas. Now, humpbacks are by no means considered predators, but recent sightings confirm they have interfered with orca hunts. On the other hand, orcas are known […]
Blood, guts and suspiciously mangled fins: inside a porpoise autopsy
The corpse lies on the stainless steel table. Next to it, a tray of sharp blades, pliers and what look like garden implements. The body – dark-skinned above, but pale underneath – was found on the beach at Barmston, Yorkshire, in March, with its dorsal fin mysteriously missing. It’s a harbour porpoise – and I’m […]
Southern resident orca pod falls to lowest number in 46 years
Only 73 southern resident orcas that live along the coast of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia remain as of July 1, according to the latest census from the Center for Whale Research. In the last year, three whales died—K21, K44 and L89. Meanwhile, two calves were born in February and April. The census found the […]
First Evidence of Orcas Hunting and Eating Great White Sharks Seen in Drone Footage
Frequent readers of CNET Science will remember Port and Starboard, the duo of killer whales from a story we published in June, which detailed research showing great white sharks were being hunted by the whales off the coast of South Africa. New aerial footage, released on Monday, shows one member of the murderous pair — […]
Female Orca Dies at Marine Park, Making Her the Third to Die Prematurely in the Last 18 Months
A female orca named Kohana died at the Loro Parque marine park in Tenerife, Spain, making her the third killer whale to die at that park in the last 18 months. Kohana was the daughter of Tilikum, who was the subject of the groundbreaking documentary exposing SeaWorld called Blackfish. Kohana was just 20 years old. […]
Three Captive Orcas Violently Attack Each Other at SeaWorld Just One Day After Orca Nakai Died
Just one day after an orca named Nakai died at SeaWorld after 20 years of captivity, a video was released of three orcas brutally attacking each other at the abusement park. The footage was taken at SeaWorld, leaving guests in shock as a violent attack among orcas ensued. At least one of the animals is […]
After half a century in captivity, Tokitae the performing orca could finally go home
Five decades ago, a group of men rounded up more than 80 orcas in a cove on Whidbey Island off Washington state. Using boats, explosives, nets and sticks, they separated young orca calves from their mothers. Locals were haunted by the whales’ human-like cries, according to an account of the day. Six baby whales were […]