Four Different Orca Ecotypes in Falklands Waters

The waters around the Falkland Islands, off the east coast of mainland South America, are home to one resident population of orca, commonly sighted in coastal waters during the summer months when penguins and pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) are breeding. 

Type A, B and D Antarctic ecotypes have also been sighted in these waters. It is believed that they may travel from up from Antarctica to moult their skin, although a lot of questions remain to be answered: do type B orca pass through Falkland waters often? Do type D orca actually occur there? And do the type A orca migrate to Antarctic waters also? 

U.S. scientists who study the Antarctic orca are keen to find out what is really going on around the Falkland Islands. If anyone has any photographs of orca from this area, please email them to Helen Otley - heleno (at) southcom.com.au

http://en.mercopress.com/2012/09/12/four-different-ecotypes-of-killer-whales-spotted-in-falklands-waters

Photo: Barry Mead (www.barrymead-photography.com)