What a pleasure to see yet another returning Humpback Whale. And finally one by Powell River. Houdini, oficially BCX0022, has been one of our most prolific Humpbacks. She has many surviving offspring including KC who last appeared to head in the direction of his Mom. It will be great to hear if they do meet up and how they behave.
The Transient Bigg's T002Cs who have claimed our area as their home are still marauding and playing in and around the islands of Desolation Sound. Some other Orca, uncertain if they're Southern Residents or other Transient Bigg's popped up in Roberts Creek.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins have shown themselves in a few of the usual areas, but not in great numbers. Dall's and Harbour Porpoise too have been showing up a bit more often, and they are grouped in more than just the couple at a time, which is nice to see. There's safety in numbers.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
The Transient Bigg's T002Cs who have claimed our area as their home are still marauding and playing in and around the islands of Desolation Sound. Some other Orca, uncertain if they're Southern Residents or other Transient Bigg's popped up in Roberts Creek.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins have shown themselves in a few of the usual areas, but not in great numbers. Dall's and Harbour Porpoise too have been showing up a bit more often, and they are grouped in more than just the couple at a time, which is nice to see. There's safety in numbers.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Orca, 2016.06.02
Eagle Eye Adventures
Society News & Events
Summer 2016 Raffle: This year our draw will be on Canada Day, July 1st. Great prizes include Pacific Coastal Flight, Eagle Eye Adventure Tour, Stubbs Island Whale Watching Tour, BC Ferries Pass, Campbell River Whale Watching Tour, I'Hos Cultural Tour, Discovery Marine Safaris Tour, and Beyond the Road Desolation Sound Cruise. All prizes are for two people. Tickets are $5. each and can be ordered through our Add To Cart button or at our information tables listed below. There are fewer tickets equating to better chances of winning. Do YOU have your tickets yet?
Our 2016 Raffle Tickets are also available at our information tables at:
June 15: PRISMA on the Beach Powell River Willingdon Beach 5pm till 10 pm Stop by our booth while listening to some wonderful orchestras.
Vancouver Island and other Locations are being worked on by our volunteers.
July 1st: Canada Day Celebrations have been moved to Willingdon Beach, Powell River and we will be drawing the raffle winners at closing.
Full Raffle Details available Here
Are you the type of volunteer interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network?
DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-016
TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
Tue Jun 07 2016
18:36 • 4 Bigg`s Orca hunting, heading North past Dog Bay, Hernando Island, Malaspina Strait. ◦T002Cs◦ they killed a porpoise. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
18:17 • 4 Bigg`s Orca off East tip of Hernando Island, Malaspina Strait. ◦T002Cs◦
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:06 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South from Major Rock Islet off Lund, Malaspina Strait. ◦T002Cs◦ slowly. ▫ On Scene
14:50 • Bigg`s Orca near Spilsbury Point heading towards Lund, Baker Passage. heard from Yucata, a tugboat. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Jun 06 2016
17:20 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North-East from Gospel Rock, Gibsons up around the East side of Keats Island, Collingwood Channel. Adult and young one seen together. Mainly stayed under the surface, boats around, only saw for a short time. ▫ Observed from Shore
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Orca observed from Gospel Rock, Gibson's BC
Mon Jun 06 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Orca observed from Gospel Rock, Gibson's BC
Mon Jun 06 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
16:20 • 5 Bigg`s Orca moving slowly, heading North-East off Chaster Park towards central Gibsons, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Orca seen from Chaster Park, Gibsons BC
Mon Jun 06 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Orca seen from Chaster Park, Gibsons BC
Mon Jun 06 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Karen Holland, Gibsons, BC
Sun Jun 05 2016
19:45 • Bigg`s Orca hunting, off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ◦T002Cs◦ The Orca were hanging out. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
19:08 • Bigg`s Orca playing, heading South on the East side of Marina Island approaching Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
A magical mystical playful day with the T002C Orcas
Sun Jun 05 2016 - 10 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
A magical mystical playful day with the T002C Orcas
Sun Jun 05 2016 - 10 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:37 • Bigg`s Orca moving slowly, heading North just North of Smelt Bay almost to Mansons Landing, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:29 • Bigg`s Orca heading South off the red can at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
T002Cs near Marina I.
Sun Jun 05 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
T002Cs near Marina I.
Sun Jun 05 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:43 • Bigg`s Orca heading South along the shore of Marina Island approaching Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ◦T002Cs◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:43 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South by Whaletown on the East end of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:48 • 5 Bigg`s Orca outside of Bones Bay on the North side of West Cracroft Island, Clio Channel.
Shea CRWW, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:14 • Bigg`s Orca by Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 03 2016
20:15 • 3-5 Bigg`s Orca heading South-East just off Copeland Islands between mainland and Savary Island past Rassmussan Bay heading towards Lund. Malaspina Strait. A boat slowed down and hung out with them for a while. One (or 2) adults whales were further ahead and went past our viewing, then we realized there were a few more orcas behind the boat then alongside. There appeared to be 2 adults with huge dorsal fins and there may have been a younger one or two but not 100% on that. ▫ Observed from Shore
Laura Wilson, Lund
Wed Jun 01 2016
14:28 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South-West from Twin Islands towards Hernando Island, Baker Passage. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
T002Cs
Wed Jun 01 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
T002Cs
Wed Jun 01 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:13 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South off Junction Point, Lewis Channel. ◦T002Cs◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:53 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading South off Junction Point.
10:32 • Bigg`s Orca moving slowly, heading South, Lewis Channel. Near Teakerne Arm. ▫ Second Hand
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Sun May 22 2016
14:30 • 3 Bigg`s Orca moving slowly, heading North-West just off Hardy Island, Malaspina Strait. Seen from Nelson Island. Two adults and a calf.
Swimming slowly, surfacing frequently, just off the North West side of Hardy Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
Kerry & Becky Williams-Freeman, Powell River
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Jun 07 2016
15:40 • SRKW Orca heading North off Entrance Island, Georgia Strait. ◦J-pod◦
Aaron Nagler, Vancouver, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Jun 07 2016
11:28 • Orca in front of Davis Bay, Sechelt, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sat Jun 04 2016
20:30 • 8-12 Orca moving quickly, heading South off Roberts Creek, Georgia Strait. Between Roberts Creek and Vancouver Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
Brandi Mladenich, Roberts Creek BC
19:45 • 3-6 Orca breaching, heading East near the White Islets off of Wilson Creek, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Heidi Halldorson, Wilson Creek
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Jun 07 2016
15:46 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ no direction.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:00 • 1 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, off Popham Island, Georgia Strait.
??:?? • 1 Humpback Whales at Thrasher Rock, Georgia Strait. didn't note time, but was in the afternoon.
Aaron Nagler, Vancouver, BC
Mon Jun 06 2016
19:04 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South just South of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
19:04 • 1 Humpback Whales heading West at Junction Passage, Alberni Inlet.
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:08 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South just passed the Quadra Island Scallop Farm South of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:40 • 2 Humpback Whales at Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Very large animals.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:21 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait. Calf present.
07:17 • 1 Humpback Whales between the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Marina Island, Georgia Strait.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jun 05 2016
19:00 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, West of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and South of Cape Mudge Fishing Hump, Georgia Strait. Lots of feeding showing on our sounder. ▫ On Scene
Bill Kennedy, Campbell River
18:29 • 1 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ◦BCX0022 Houdini◦ The whale was angling towards Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale BCX0022 Houdini by Powell River
Sun Jun 05 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale BCX0022 Houdini by Powell River
Sun Jun 05 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
17:51 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading North in front of Powell River in the center of Malaspina Strait. ◦BCX0022 Houdini◦
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
17:49 • 1 Humpback Whales by the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
16:17 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North by Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
16:13 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. The whale was close to the shore.
11:53 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
10:17 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, at Separation Head, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:21 • 1 Humpback Whales off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River, BC
??:?? • 1 Humpback Whales milling, heading West off Scotch Fir Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ On Scene
Cathy, Boater
??:?? • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Telegraph Cove, Broughton Strait. The Humpback has been there several days going back and forth.
Shea CRWW, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jun 04 2016
16:57 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North close to shore in front of Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:44 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, North of the Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:32 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading North at Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North at the Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Mark Howell, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
12:51 • 1 Humpback Whales just inside Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ Near the chip barge.
12:03 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South right against the Vancouver Island shore just pass Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
11:45 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South mid-channel off of Browns Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Mark Howell, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
11:21 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, 1 mile North of Browns Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:01 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South just North of Browns Bay. On the Vancouver Island side.
Dustin Luchak, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
11:01 • 1 Humpback Whales 1 mile North of Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Jun 03 2016
16:45 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North close to the Vancouver Island shore near No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:07 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North just off the green light at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
13:51 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River, BC
Thu Jun 02 2016
16:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:54 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North-East off Maud Island, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ Was swimming through the Maud Island light back eddy.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
14:21 • 1 Humpback Whales South end of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC, Houdini's son!
Thu Jun 02 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC, Houdini's son!
Thu Jun 02 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:44 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, between Seymour Narrows and Race Point, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:38 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, Race Point, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ Bucking the flood tide. ▫ Leaving the Scene
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
10:42 • 1 Humpback Whales North of Race Point. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:14 • 1 Humpback Whales in Seymour Narrows angling towards Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC, Houdini's son!
Thu Jun 02 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC, Houdini's son!
Thu Jun 02 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:41 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South between Browns Bay and Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Jun 01 2016
18:10 • 2 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading North in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ◦BCX0380 Zed◦ They were going with the current. Slapping their pectorals. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Wed Jun 01 2016 - 7 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Wed Jun 01 2016 - 7 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North by Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCX0380 Zed◦ At first I thought there was one.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading South from Gillies Bay to Shelter Point, Georgia Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading South-East just offshore of Dick Island South of Gillies Bay. Seen around 3pm by myself and my neighbour. Breaching, feeding and moving quickly offshore just off Dick Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
Stephen McIntyre, Texada Island
12:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South by Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:52 • 1 Humpback Whales between Race Point and Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:51 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, at the South end of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South Seymour Narrows.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 29 2016
09:50 • 1 Humpback Whales tight to the shore of Hardwicke Island, Current Passage, Johnstone Strait. In very deep water between Current Passage and the entrance to Wellbore Channel by Bulkely Island. Showing tail and not going down for long, appeared to be feeding and not heading in any particular direction. ▫ Second Hand
Lynne Cracknell, Sayward, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Jun 06 2016
15:34 • PWS Dolphins foraging, West end of Nodales Channel. No direction.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Jun 05 2016
12:37 • 50 PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm.
09:33 • 50 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Frederick Arm.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 03 2016
12:15 • 12 PWS Dolphins heading South-East into Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River, BC
DALL'S PORPOISE
Sat Jun 04 2016
15:49 • 10 Dall`s Porpoise just off Lee Islands, Nodales Channel.
Gordon Prezioso, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:30 • 20 Dall`s Porpoise in Frederick Arm.
Fri Jun 03 2016
14:30 • 2 Dall`s Porpoise beside Thurston Bay in the middle of Nodales Channel. No real direction.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Jun 07 2016
19:43 • 2 Harbour Porpoise being hunted, near Hernando Island, Malaspina Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jun 05 2016
19:08 • 2 Harbour Porpoise close to the Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. The orca left them alone.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jun 04 2016
16:53 • 2 Harbour Porpoise heading South-East near Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
Wed Jun 01 2016
13:33 • 12-15 Harbour Porpoise foraging, near Stories Beach South of Campbell River, Georgia Strait. No real direction.
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Harbour Porpoise
Harbour Porpoises near Stories Beach, South of Campbell River
Wed Jun 01 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Harbour Porpoise
Harbour Porpoises near Stories Beach, South of Campbell River
Wed Jun 01 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Eagle Eye Adventures
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-016
The Magazine
The Province of BC joins the State of Washington and Oregon in declaring June Orca awareness month. This is the tenth anniversary of Orca Awareness month in the Salish Sea declared to raise awareness of and move toward recovery for the endangered Southern Resident orcas. We join our neighbours to the South in celebrating this month. See the following article for more information.
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
A number of activities celebrating Orca Awareness Month are scheduled in the community of Oak Bay in Victoria, including a panel discussion featuring: MP Randall Garrison, MP Elizabeth May, MLA Gary Holman, Jason Colby, Deborah Dickson, representatives of Salish Sea.org and the Biosphere Initiative on Saturday, June 11. Activities are also scheduled in Washington State and Oregon.
For more details:
• BC Orca Month
• Victoria Area Panel Discussion
• WA Orca Month
• Center for Whale Research Orca Month
• WDC Orca Month
• BC Orca Month
• Victoria Area Panel Discussion
• WA Orca Month
• Center for Whale Research Orca Month
• WDC Orca Month
National Post
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A veterinary pathologist worked Monday to determine what killed a juvenile fin whale discovered on the bow of a cruise ship entering an Alaska port....
The Guardian, UK
Mexico, Canada and US collaborate on report that concludes the three nations will have to dramatically ramp up efforts to reach 10% protection goal.
The Dare to Be Deep report, created by a coalition of NGOs in the US, Canada and Mexico, finds that less than 1% of these countries’ oceans are protected like national parks – with only four years left to reach the 10% protection goal set in the multilateral Biodiversity Convention....
For more details:
• CPAWS: Access the full report
• CTV News: North America far short of ocean protection goals, Canada the worst
• CPAWS: Access the full report
• CTV News: North America far short of ocean protection goals, Canada the worst
INTERNATIONAL
Saving Marine Animals Lives in Amazing Ways...
A+J
Too many sea animals die from plastic.
So one company made their packaging edible.
The Verge
Researchers for Ocean Alliance are using DJI's Phantom 4 drone to shadow blue whales in the sea of Cortez, allowing them to capture pictures, video, and — yes — gooey biological samples without disturbing the creatures. The "Snotbot" project secured almost $230,000 of funding in a Kickstarter campaign last year, and collection has now begun, as the video above shows.The small drones track the whales from a few meters above their blowholes, allowing them to collect gobbets of snot expelled when they surface, and making it possible for scientists to check the chemical makeup of the disgusting mixture without needing to capture one of the giant beasts and stick their hands down its nasal cavity.
The Telegraph, UK
A pod of killer whales have been pictured off the Scottish coast in a rare sighting.
Images taken by Pippa Low capture a group of the animals which had travelled from Iceland to the Moray Firth.
She managed to snap the pictures on Monday evening, after a member of the Sea Watch Foundation told her they had appeared in the firth, in the north of Scotland....
New Zealand Herald, NZ
Locals have been treated to two whale sightings recently and experts say it's the same anywhere they stop, because they are hungry.
But the drawcard of this region are the scores of stingrays off our coast. They are quite the whale delicacy.
Early April a pod of orca were seen frolicking in the water, on Saturday another pod were seen off the shore near Ahuriri and on Monday rorqual whales, or humpback whales, were spotted in Napier Port....
Scotland TV News
Since 1989, a research programme at Aberdeen University has been studying the population of around 200 bottlenose dolphins along the east coast of Scotland with the aim of supporting conservation programmes.
As part of this, the dolphins have all been catalogued through photo identification and been given names such as Squat Fin, Scoopy and Sundance.
For more than a decade, Karen has returned every year in her spare time between full time work as a business support officer and been greeted with the same familiar 15-strong group of dolphins.
Her dolphin documenting began in 2005 when she made the move from The Hague in the Netherlands to Inverness.....
Seeker: Discover News
Humans and killer whales have so much in common that the latter are now serving as a model for our species by showing how ecology, culture and evolution reveal themselves in genomes.
Both killer whales, also called orcas, and humans are two of the world's most cosmopolitan animals, given that both include subgroups that migrated and quickly diversified from an ancestral population likely due to climate change. The new study, published in Nature Communications, finds that such life histories can leave their mark in genes....
The Journal, IE
... a bowhead whale that has been spotted near Carlingford Harbour in Co Louth in recent days.
This is the first sighting of the animal in Irish waters, and puts it thousands of miles south of its usual Arctic habitat.
According to the Irish Dolphin and Whale Group (IDWG), this is the first time in 25 years that a new species of whale has been spotted in Irish waters.
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