A rare sighting of three unfamiliar killer whales in Vancouver Harbour has intrigued marine experts. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) revealed that the whales, believed to be from an Alaskan population, were previously undocumented in British Columbia waters. Scientists are currently studying these whales to gain insights into their behavior.
The DFO’s science team based in Nanaimo, B.C., has been closely observing these unique whales as part of their assessment. According to Jared Towers, executive director of Bay Cetology, these orcas are genetically distinct from the commonly seen Bigg’s killer whales in the area, evidenced by their different DNA and vocalizations.
Remarkably, these three whales have been matched to a previous sighting near Anchorage, Alaska, indicating a long journey of about 1,200 nautical miles. Marine mammal researcher Josh McInnes from the University of British Columbia noted distinctive scars near their dorsal fins, possibly from encounters with cookiecutter sharks found in deep open waters, suggesting they may be oceanic whales.
While the reasons for their presence in Vancouver remain unclear, Aly Kohlman, a marine naturalist, speculated that the whales might be psychologically trapped in the bustling harbor environment. Concerns have been raised about their extended stay in the area, characterized by heavy maritime traffic.
Experts are keen for individuals who capture images of these whales to upload them to Finwave.io for identification purposes. However, it is crucial to maintain a safe distance as per Canada’s Marine Mammal Regulations, which mandate vessels to stay at least 400 meters away from killer whales in southern B.C. coastal waters.