Last month, northern resident orca were observed near Powell River in the middle of the day and they were headed north, reported members of the group Wild Ocean Whales Society (WOWS).
According to WOWS founder Susan MacKay, the whales were identified as the A25s and A42s pods from photos submitted by local photographer Michelle Pennell.
“The A42 family pod has been seen around here every year at least for short periods of time,” MacKay told the Peak. “A103, aka Albion, a female, was born by Albion [Black Point] in December of 2013.”
Usually, the northern resident orca are found along the northeast coast of Vancouver Island and further north along the coast of British Columbia.
“However, a few times each year they swim further south and enter the top end of Georgia Strait and Malaspina Strait,” reported WOWS. “The northern resident orca has a population of approximately 330 individuals, whereas the southern resident orca population is smaller, numbering around 75 individuals.”
To report an ocean mammal sighting, go to whalesanddolphinsbc.com.
According to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada, boats and other watercraft must remain at least one kilometre away from southern resident orcas and at least 200 metres away from transients and northern resident orcas.
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