Orca Week

10/23/2025

NATURAL SANCTUARY FOR BELUGA WHALES
"Nova Scotia has approved Canada’s first-ever whale sanctuary! Located in Port Hilford Bay." The Whale Sanctuary Project

BREAKING: Nova Scotia has approved Canada’s first-ever whale sanctuary! Located in Port Hilford Bay, The Whale Sanctuary Project site could open by summer 2026.

The sanctuary could allow around 10 belugas languishing at Marineland the chance to finally experience real ocean water, natural space, & care that puts their well-being first.

Join us in urging the Ontario & federal governments to act quickly, partner with the Whale Sanctuary Project, & give these whales the peaceful retirement they deserve! 🐳➡️ https://bit.ly/4nhtPd1

10/21/2025

'OFFSHORE ORCAS' DIVERSE DIET
"Ongoing research suggests that their diet may be broader than currently known, with potential unidentified prey still under investigation. This shark-dominated diet highlights the offshore killer whale's ecological role as a specialized predator within the open ocean environment." UNA

Offshore killer whales are believed to be primarily piscivorous, with a diet that consists largely of various shark species and some bony fish. Unlike other killer whale ecotypes, they are not known to prey on marine mammals. Notable prey species identified include the salmon shark (Lamna ditropis), broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus), Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus), blue shark (Prionace glauca), and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), alongside bony fish such as opah (Lampris sp.), Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), and various salmonids (Oncorhynchus sp.). Ongoing research suggests that their diet may be broader than currently known, with potential unidentified prey still under investigation. This shark-dominated diet highlights the offshore killer whale's ecological role as a specialized predator within the open ocean environment.

10/11/2025

ORCA CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL HUNT
"It’s not uncommon to see transient killer whales “celebrate” after a successful hunt and big male CA138A seemed especially glee."
Photo by Delaney Trowbridge Photography

A big happy boy jumping after his big happy meal! 👹

Shortly before we found them yesterday, the CA138s had killed a big sea lion. It’s not uncommon to see transient killer whales “celebrate” after a successful hunt and big male CA138A seemed especially glee. This giant breach happened completely out of nowhere and I still can’t believe I managed to capture it.

10/09/2025

ORCAS ARE NAMED GLOBALLY
"Modern Reinterpretation .. Today, many scientists and storytellers prefer to call them simply orcas, honouring their complexity and shedding the “killer” label."

“Orcinus orca” is the scientific name for the killer whale, and its origins are steeped in myth, Latin etymology, and a touch of poetic irony.

Breaking Down the Name
Genus: Orcinus
Derived from Orcus, the Roman god of the underworld. It evokes a sense of mystery, power, and death, likely referencing the killer whale’s role as a top predator.
Orcinus roughly translates to “belonging to Orcus” or “of the underworld.”

Species: Orca
Comes from Latin orca, meaning “large-bellied vessel” or “barrel,” but also used to describe a kind of whale or sea monster.
The word may trace back to ancient Greek ὄρυξ (oryx), meaning “sharp-toothed.”

Why the Grim Name?
Despite their reputation as “killer whales,” orcas are highly intelligent, social, and culturally rich. The name Orcinus orca reflects how early observers, likely Roman sailors, saw them: fearsome hunters capable of taking down large prey, including whales.

But in First Nations cultures of the Pacific Northwest, orcas are revered as protectors, ancestors, and spiritual guides, a stark contrast to the Latin name’s underworld connotation.

Modern Reinterpretation
Today, many scientists and storytellers prefer to call them simply orcas, honouring their complexity and shedding the “killer” label. The name Orcinus orca remains a reminder of how language can shape perception, and how we can reclaim it through deeper understanding.

Northern Resident Orca
August 2018
fans

09/27/2025

NINGALOO ORCAS of AUSTRALIA
"A genetically distinct population of killer whales that seasonally visits Ningaloo Reef off northwestern Australia." United Native Americans

This illustration focuses on a small, genetically distinct population of killer whales that seasonally visits Ningaloo Reef off northwestern Australia. It visually compares male and female killer whales, noting differences such as dorsal fin size and saddle patch visibility. The infographic points out their prey preferences—especially humpback whale calves—and includes a DNA graphic to emphasize genetic differentiation. It also includes a scale comparison with a human for context. This educational material highlights the ecological role and unique traits of Ningaloo’s orcas.

09/22/2025

LINE UP at HOWE SOUND, VANCOUVER
"8 members of the A25s and A42s surface side by side." OBI

While out on an After the Breach Podcast all-day trip with Maya's Legacy Whale Watching today we made the trek to Howe Sound near Vancouver, BC - a long run, but wow, was it worth it! We were lucky enough to catch up with Northern Resident killer whales 🤯

It's not unusual for members of the A5 pod to visit the Sunshine Coast, but this is a bit earlier in the season than they usually do. We expect them to be there more in the November-February time frame. But the eating must be good, as the entire pod has spent at least part of this month in the northern reaches of the Strait of Georgia.

Here 8 members of the A25s and A42s surface side by side. We'll have more photos and videos of this encounter to share in the near future!

09/17/2025

SUPER ORCAS CAN FLY, THE MOVIE
"T002C1 Rocky was "flying" during one of our recent trips"
Vancouver Island Whale Watch photo by Aly Kohlman

T002C1 Rocky was "flying" during one of our recent trips! This massive male orca wowed us with a full-on breach, pectoral fins spread wide as he soared through the air! 🐋

📸: Aly Kohlman

09/09/2025

GLOBAL ORCAS of ALASKA
"R24‘s - September 6th, 2025 - Klawock Inlet, Alaska"
Killer Whales of B.C.

09/05/2025

AWARDING WINNING ORCA PHOTO of AUSTRALIA
This photo was winner of the monochrome category in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 competition.
Photo by Rachelle Mackintosh

This photo was winner of the monochrome category in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 competition.

Showing the power and beauty, the photographer captured the moment just after the orca had caught some prey.

Photo: Rachelle Mackintosh

09/03/2025

ORCAS ARE GLOBAL
This link shows some of places to see them in the wild.

Luxury Travel Auctions Worldwide

08/29/2025

FIN PHOTO ID TECNOLOGY CALLED 'FINWAVE'.
"The AI algorithm embedded in our dorsal fin photo-identification workflow expediter, finwave, is now published open access in Ecological Informatics. Although developed for Bigg’s killer whales, in this study we also tested the model on southern resident orcas, humpback whales, Lahille’s bottlenose dolphins and minke whales with great results. Overall, this pipeline and its deployment on finwave offer a scalable, efficient, and accessible solution that lowers technical barriers, accelerates and supports cetacean population monitoring efforts and advances the role of machine learning in biological sciences." Bay Cetology