Wild Orca News

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wensleydale

Well-Known Member
Given that interest in wild Killer Whales (in addition to their captive counterparts) has been so high as of late I thought that they would be worthy of their own thread as well, possibly multiple threads if you want to go into great detail based on population and type. This could be a place to discuss news on topics such as taxonomy, behavior, births, deaths, events affecting wild populations, research, etc. You might discuss research/other events on captive populations that has implications for wild populations as well.

Bad news first:

Two Southern Residents are missing and presumed dead, one in her thirties and one in her teens. Lulu (L53) and Indigo (L100).

Puget Sound's endangered killer whales continue decline | Environment | theguardian.com

Two deaths reduce orca population to lowest level in 30 years - Story

Good News Last: Springer's calf (born circa 2013) has been named Spirit.

Springer the killer whale's first calf named Spirit - British Columbia - CBC News
 
Some bad news, Baby Southern Resident is missing and presumed dead. This apparently took place while the pod was in the open ocean outside of Puget Sound.

This is particularly dire new considering that it was the first calf born since 2012 to a dwindling population. I believe that Baby 2012 did not make it either. Also, two older whales are missing a presumed dead this year as well, making this another bad year for the Southern Residents.

Newborn Southern Resident killer whale presumed dead -- Port Angeles Port Townsend Sequim Forks Jefferson County Clallam County Olympic Peninsula Daily news
 
wensleydale said:
Some bad news, Baby Southern Resident is missing and presumed dead. This apparently took place while the pod was in the open ocean outside of Puget Sound.

This is particularly dire new considering that it was the first calf born since 2012 to a dwindling population. I believe that Baby 2012 did not make it either. Also, two older whales are missing a presumed dead this year as well, making this another bad year for the Southern Residents.

Newborn Southern Resident killer whale presumed dead -- Port Angeles Port Townsend Sequim Forks Jefferson County Clallam County Olympic Peninsula Daily news
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I was absolutely crushed when I heard about this. L120 was a ray of hope, dashed away so quickly... Apparently salmon stocks are starting to do better, so hopefully things will change...

For lighter news, FEROP has revealed that they've been observing an injured wild orca, likely being cared for by her family members. This kind of thing has been observed in at least 3 other orca populations. Orcas are so great.

source
 
Meanwhile a group of Killer Whales off the coast of Australia have been filmed feeding on a Humpback calf.

I guess we'll have to hunt them down and send them to jail for Humpback murder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnyE1NZBr7s

I don't really trust FEROP, given their connections with the ill conceived "Free Morgan" project they have too much incentive to not tell the whole truth about their observations.
 
wensleydale said:
Meanwhile a group of Killer Whales off the coast of Australia have been filmed feeding on a Humpback calf.

I guess we'll have to hunt them down and send them to jail for Humpback murder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnyE1NZBr7s

I don't really trust FEROP, given their connections with the ill conceived "Free Morgan" project they have too much incentive to not tell the whole truth about their observations.
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Ooooh, I love good hunting footage! Especially underwater. Someday I hope someone can get underwater footage of orcas hunting great white sharks.

FEROP doesn't study Morgan's population, so it's not like what they observe would impact her case either way. Just as well, most wild orca research groups support some kind of "free the orcas" movement. Since they primarily focus on wild orcas, I don't really have reason to believe they'd lie about research for the sake of a different issue.
 
TheMightyOrca said:
Ooooh, I love good hunting footage! Especially underwater. Someday I hope someone can get underwater footage of orcas hunting great white sharks.

FEROP doesn't study Morgan's population, so it's not like what they observe would impact her case either way. Just as well, most wild orca research groups support some kind of "free the orcas" movement. Since they primarily focus on wild orcas, I don't really have reason to believe they'd lie about research for the sake of a different issue.
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Actually it was researchers from the NAKID project (at least in part) who recommended placing her in a captive facility. They were contracted to find out as much about where she came from as possible. They ended up recommending she be placed in captive care, rather than undertaking a release effort. Hardly a "Free the Orca's" attitude.

And if they are involved in the "Free the Orcas" movement they have an incentive portray wild group dynamics in as rosy of a light as possible.
 
wensleydale said:
Actually it was researchers from the NAKID project (at least in part) who recommended placing her in a captive facility. They were contracted to find out as much about where she came from as possible. They ended up recommending she be placed in captive care, rather than undertaking a release effort. Hardly a "Free the Orca's" attitude.

And if they are involved in the "Free the Orcas" movement they have an incentive portray wild group dynamics in as rosy of a light as possible.
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Unless "free the orcas" is the main focus of a group, I don't have reason to think that they'd lie about wild orca. FEROP does the freedom stuff as a side thing at most; lately the only captivity posts I see from them are about the Russian orca captures. Besides, there are multiple reports of disabled wild orca being cared for, so it's not like this report is much of a stretch.

Anyway, dead whale is in the range of southern residents and transients. 16 foot long male. Animal has not been ID'd as a transient, increasing the likelihood that it's an SR.
 
Super sad news, from Orca Network: Dead orca confirmed as southern resident J32 "Rhapsody". (guess reports that the whale was a male were mistakes) Devastating, but at least they have her body so they can examine it. This year, there were lots of photos of her looking kind of fat, leading many to speculate that she was pregnant. A necropsy is to be done on Saturday and should show whether or not that was the case. Hopefully they'll be able to find her cause of death.
 
Rhapsody's autopsy was inconclusive. She was found to have a full term fetus. Do they do toxicology tests on this sort of thing? Seems like they should, but I don't know. Anyway, wheres the outrage that she's dead? Why is all the rage at the moment directed towards Kalia having a new calf?

Necropsy on killer whale J-32 reveals orca had full-term fetus - British Columbia - CBC News

Also, some of her teeth have been stolen. Be forewarned, this article comes with some fairly gory pictures of the necropsy. Highlights include what appears to be her skin peeled from her body with her guts starting to go every which way and a picture from beforehand featuring her now almost black tongue. Also there are hopes that she will one day go on display at the Royal B.C. Museum.

Teeth stolen from dead orca hours before necropsy performed | Globalnews.ca
 
wensleydale said:
Rhapsody's autopsy was inconclusive. She was found to have a full term fetus. Do they do toxicology tests on this sort of thing? Seems like they should, but I don't know. Anyway, wheres the outrage that she's dead? Why is all the rage at the moment directed towards Kalia having a new calf?

Necropsy on killer whale J-32 reveals orca had full-term fetus - British Columbia - CBC News

Also, some of her teeth have been stolen. Be forewarned, this article comes with some fairly gory pictures of the necropsy. Highlights include what appears to be her skin peeled from her body with her guts starting to go every which way and a picture from beforehand featuring her now almost black tongue. Also there are hopes that she will one day go on display at the Royal B.C. Museum.

Teeth stolen from dead orca hours before necropsy performed | Globalnews.ca
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I see lots of people upset that she's dead. Just check the Facebook pages for Orca Network, Victoria Marine Science Association, and other groups reporting on her death. I cried twice because I'm weak. Some First Nations people came by to give her a blessing.

According to Orca Network, toxicology results will be available in 2-3 weeks. According to VMSA Various parts of her are being sent to labs for further testing. Her uterus, with the calf still inside, is being sent to a different lab. If the calf's skeleton is in a state where it can be displayed, it will also be sent to the museum. The current death theory is that the calf died first and caused an infection that killed Rhapsody. Lab tests should confirm or deny this.

I'm wondering if they're going to make some fake teeth for Rhapsody when she goes on display in the museum.

If you want more pictures, this person has hundreds of photos of the whale before, during, and after the necropsy. I shouldn't have to warn that it's very gory. Ah, I might be crying again...
 
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wensleydale said:
A not usually seen group of Transients have made their way to strait of Juan de Fuca. In particular this group is usually seen in California. It is believed that their arrival is due in part due to temperature and food availability.

Scientists stumped by unusually large arrival of exotic killer whales - UPI.com
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That's pretty interesting. PBS recently released a documentary on orcas expanding into other areas because of melting sea ice. They're eating narwhals now. Like, they chased them into the shallow water and then ate them.

What will probably be some of the final reports on Rhapsody... Her death, and her missing teeth, are getting a lot more attention than I expected. I'm not sure why, but I won't complain, ha ha. Anyway, the calf was a full-term female, making the loss even worse for the population. Rhapsody looked healthy, but her blubber level was thin, suggesting poor nutrition. While it's believed that the fetus died first and Rhapsody died as a result of complications, it's possible that toxins and pollutants in the water may have played a part. But the lab results on the calf won't arrive for 4-6 weeks.
 
One of the reasons that Monodontidae are said lack dorsal fins is to escape Killer Whales by going under ice, where dorsal fins are said to be a hindrance. If the Killer Whales don't have to contend with ice any more that is bad news for both members of the family. I wonder if it might impact their populations in addition to the recent changes in the conditions of the Arctic.
 
According to the Victoria Marine Science Association, it's possible that J16 "Slick" might have a new calf. If true, this wouldn't be her first calf, which is good since first calves tend to have the highest mortality rate. Fingers crossed!
 
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