Blog Archives - Orca Aware

Orca Sighted Off The Coast Of Wales - Eating A Seal

10/30/2015

"Last Saturday, an unusual marine mammal was spotted off Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire.

...although we couldn’t give Caroline a 100% definite ID for the animal she witnessed, everything she told us leads us to believe it was a killer whale feeding..."

Read more: http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/killer-whale-seen-eating-seal-pup-off-pembrokeshire-headland/

Fantastic Sighting Of Orca In UK Waters!

10/28/2015

Ten Killer Whales were seen two miles east of Foula (Shetland Islands, Scotland) yesterday.

Visit this page for a truly spectacular photo from the encounter:
https://www.facebook.com/natureinshetland/photos/a.264728470250222.67499.258478260875243/979113162145079/?type=1&theater

Captured Russian Orcas Being Moved For Public Display

10/25/2015

Orcas are still being moved around in Russia for eventual public display. Visit this link & read the photo captions for more information: http://captive-russian-orcas.tumblr.com/archive

New Calf Born To Endangered Southern Resident Orca Population!

10/25/2015

A new calf, designated J53, has been born to Southern resident orca J pod.

Read more:
https://www.facebook.com/CenterForWhaleResearch/photos/a.385286821490832.101410.276095682409947/1057760050910169/?type=1&theater

Encouraging News About Endangered Southern Resident Orca Population

10/22/2015

An article about findings from the NOAA Fisheries hexacopter monitoring project (with video): http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/killer-whales-enjoy-rebound-in-health-5-more-orcas-counted-in-seattle-area/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_left

Evolution Of The Orca Menopause - Research From The UK's Exeter University (With Video)

10/22/2015

Darren Croft from the UK's Exeter University talks about his research into the evolution of the menopause and insights gleaned from the Southern resident orcas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRRDvZNJ-6g&feature=share

You can also read our interview with Emma Foster of Exeter University who released a scientific paper in 2012 on the orca menopause:http://www.orcaaware.org/emma-foster-and-the-orca-menopause

Unmanned Hexacopter Monitors Health Of Endangered Southern Resident Orcas

10/22/2015

"A NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] Fisheries research team flying a remotely operated hexacopter in Washington's San Juan Islands in September collected high-resolution aerial photogrammetry images of all 81 Southern Resident killer whales that showed the endangered whales in robust condition and that several appear to be pregnant."

Read more:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/nfwc-unh102015.php

Video Interview With Former SeaWorld & Marineland Antibes Orca Trainer

10/22/2015

Dolphinaria-Free Europe interviewed former Marineland Antibes & SeaWorld orca trainer John Hargrove about the recent flooding at Marineland Antibes and the death of orca 'Valentin'.

Offshore Orca Found Dead In Alaska

10/21/2015

An offshore orca has been found dead on a beach near Petersburg, Alaska in the USA. A necropsy has been conducted by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Fisheries and a team of collaborative scientists.

For more information, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153709869207392&id=196714957391

Is This SeaWorld Orca Too Depressed To Nurse Her Calf?

10/20/2015

Article excerpt: "If I saw a calf head-bumping its mother over and over and nothing coming of it (no nursing observed), then I would definitely consider that abnormal," [Dr. Naomi] Rose said. "Normally when a calf solicits nursing that way, the mother nurses! So if she just remains vertical and stationary, then that's abnormal."
Read more: https://www.thedodo.com/orca-mother-too-depressed-to-nurse-1412224692.html