Sightings Report:
Sightings Report: T-Party 08.28.21
Introducing the Sightings Report. Throughout the year, members of Orca Conservancy participate in shore-based and boat-based whale watching to gather photographs and footage. We will begin to document each sighting to aid in behavioral science, location data, and for the sake of sharing these incredible moments with the world.
Date: Saturday, August 28th, 2021
Location: Moresby Pass, along the west side of Moresby Island, B.C. Canada
Weather: Partly Sunny 65 degrees Fahrenheit with 7 to 9 mph winds from WSW and SW
Tide: Low tide/flood
Pods/Matrilines: T18s, T37s, T37As, T39s, T65As, T49A2, T77C, T77D
Total Whale Count: 26
Behaviors: Socializing, potential breeding
What an excellent day out on the water! After a little over a half-hour in transit, we arrived on seen in Canadian waters to observe a T-Party. A T-Party is what we call a “superpod” of Transient/Bigg’s (mammal eating) killer whales. While it would be perfectly acceptable to call this gathering a superpod, T-Party is a fun play on words and helps to differentiate the different ecotypes of killer whales.
During this encounter, there were 26 whales in total counted. Usually, Transient/Bigg’s are seen in much smaller groups traveling with their matrilines. Smaller groups help aid in their ability to effectively hunt marine mammals like seals and porpoises. Due to the large number of animals present and observed behaviors we speculate these orcas were socializing and likely breeding.
The orcas broke off in 2 to 3 groups and were trending south. There were many observations of “cuddle puddles” of orcas touching and rolling over each other. In a few of these cuddle puddles, we even glanced some male genitalia which is why we believe there was breeding taking place. There were a few breaches, spy hops, pec slaps, and more tail slaps than we could count.
The majority of boaters (whale watching and private vessels) were very responsible and adhered to the guidelines. In some instances, whales began to approach a few of the vessels, during these instances boaters either got out of the way or motors were shut off for the safety of the whales. In one instance, a private vessel was approaching one of the groups too close and at a high rate of speed. The captain of our boat on Outer Island Excursions attempted to radio the private vessel but was unable to make contact. Our captain then radioed another whale watch vessel (Maya’s Legacy) that was close to the violator and they were able to intercept the violating vessel and notify them of the presence of whales preventing any harassment or injuries. No enforcement or research boats were present.
Please note that our videos and photos are taken with high-powered lenses that can distort distances. The whales appear much closer than they actually are.
