Have You Seen Any of These?

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Breaching Humpbacks, Biggs Orca, Dolphins and Porpoise

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales grouped up in some larger numbers for a brief visit, and just as quickly departed. Some of them are roaming the inlets in the upper Georgia Strait, still keeping their distance from the Humpback Whales, of which we still have many.

Pacific White Sided Dolphins have been seen in groups of up to around 100 in their favourite spots where food tends to gather. A few Harbour Porpoise also have a favourite area in West Vancouver. Their sighting rounds out this report.

Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society


Transient Bigg's Killer Whale in the middle channel off of Mitlenatch Island



Society News & Events

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Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-022

ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP


TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES

Fri Jul 21 2017

08:06 • Biggs Orca heading east off Black Bluff, Malcolm Island, Queen Charlotte Strait.

Wed Jul 19 2017

17:44 • Biggs Orca off Dogfish Bay above Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out

17:14 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north in front of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. More Orcas heading north; it's the second group today. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

17:08 • Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out

16:59 • Biggs Orca off Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
16:27 • Biggs Orca between Moriarty Point and Granite Point, Discovery Passage. Tailing dolphins about a mile ahead.
15:59 • 16-20 Biggs Orca heading west mid-channel just north of Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. Large group. ▫ Leaving the Scene


SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales mid-channel just north of Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 10 items











SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales mid-channel just north of Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 10 items


15:29 • Biggs Orca heading north at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
14:55 • Biggs Orca in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
13:22 • Biggs Orca on the Vancouver Island side just north of Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
12:17 • Biggs Orca bucking tide, heading north in front of the ferry terminal at Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Moving slowly. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:00 • est. 5 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north in front of Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. 4 Orca together and one large male following. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

11:47 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs; T101s; T034s; T046s◦ south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. And some more Orca in the group.


SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whale, T002Cs, T101s, T034s & T046s, south off of Sentry Shoal
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 9 items










SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whale, T002Cs, T101s, T034s & T046s, south off of Sentry Shoal
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 9 items


11:15 • Biggs Orca heading south mid channel out from Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:38 • 6 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north mid strait about one mile south of Cape Mudge Lighthouse. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:30 • Biggs Orca heading north off Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out

09:05 • 6-7 Biggs Orca heading north at Kuhushan Point, Georgia Strait. 800 metres off the Vancouver Island shore.
09:01 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ off Blubber Bay heading toward Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

08:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs; T034s; T046s◦ heading north at the mouth of Oyster River, Georgia Strait.
08:37 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs; T034s; T046s◦ heading north by Black Creek, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out

08:12 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ moving slowly, heading north near the top end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
07:04 • est. 3 Biggs Orca heading north off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Transient Killer Whale heading north off of Powell River
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 2 items
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC



SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Transient Killer Whale heading north off of Powell River
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 2 items
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC




UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES

Thu Jul 20 2017

--:-- • Orca playing, in Okeover Inlet.


HUMPBACK WHALES

Sun Jul 23 2017

17:25 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-east tight to Read Island toward Rendezvous Island South Park, Drew Passage.
16:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0298 Split Fin; BCY0291 KC◦ travelling, heading south, Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north along Read Island north of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
14:33 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading south off the north tip of Rendezvous Islands on the Raza Island side of Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:18 • 2 Humpback Whales between Gillard Islands and Dent Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

13:18 • Humpback Whales off the north end of Penn Islands heading towards Bullock Bluff, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Penn Islands towards Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

13:07 • 1 Humpback Whales off the north end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:50 • Humpback Whales in Dent Rapids. Info from Fishing Guide from Nanook Lodge. ▫ Second Hand
11:57 • Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out

11:28 • 4 Humpback Whales between Cortez Reef and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

11:26 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off the SE tip of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north going past Carrington Bay along the shore of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.


SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale going along the shoreline at Carrington Bay
Sun, 23 Jul 2017 - 8 items









SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale going along the shoreline at Carrington Bay
Sun, 23 Jul 2017 - 8 items


11:05 • 2 Humpback Whales in Gillard Passage, Yuculta Rapids.
10:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading towards the north tip of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:10 • 1 Humpback Whales between Coulter Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:09 • 4 Humpback Whales between the can at Marina Reef and the can at Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

09:18 • 1 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:18 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

Sat Jul 22 2017

19:00 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, between Rendezvous Islands and entrance to Whiterock Passage, Drew Passage.
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off south side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
17:30 • 1 Humpback Whales off Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
17:30 • 1 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Sutil Channel. Near the ferry line.
16:55 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, off north end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

16:29 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
15:20 • Humpback Whales heading south to shoreline of Read Island towards Whale Passage, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:55 • Humpback Whales behind Toba Mountain, Raza Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

14:23 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours

14:18 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
14:17 • Humpback Whales heading south off Bartlett Islet.
14:08 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north mid channel between South Rendezvous Island and Read Island, Drew Passage.
14:01 • Humpback Whales breaching, off the shore of Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Now rolling arounnd and slapping pectoral fin.
12:36 • Humpback Whales foraging, mid strait between Harwood Island and Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
12:05 • Humpback Whales ◦BCZ0298 Split Fin◦ doing circles, between Bullock Bluff and Read Island, Sutil Channel.


SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales heading north past Dogfish Bay
Sat, 22 Jul 2017 - 10 items











SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales heading north past Dogfish Bay
Sat, 22 Jul 2017 - 10 items


11:56 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north mid channel off Church House, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

11:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north just past Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.
10:45 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north south end of South Rendezvous Island, Drew Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:25 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0057 Niagara◦ heading north at Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:48 • 2 Humpback Whales mid channel moving toward Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures

08:48 • 2 Humpback Whales off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
08:48 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out

08:47 • 4 Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Ed Sharkey on scene.

Fri Jul 21 2017

16:04 • 3 Humpback Whales off the West Redonda Island side of Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:47 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north 500m off Raza Island across from Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:46 • Humpback Whales 2 nm east of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Radio Report
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

13:44 • Humpback Whales close to Raza Island, Deer Passage.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

13:39 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off the south end of South Rendezvous Island, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:37 • 2 Humpback Whales top of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:37 • Humpback Whales in rapids off Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:39 • 3 Humpback Whales 2 sleeping and 1 fluking, on a line between Francisco Point and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
10:42 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south at 4kts. between Mitlenatch Island and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

10:40 • Humpback Whales milling, in Whale Passage off of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

09:25 • 2 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
09:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south 800m off red markers at south end of Cortes Island, Georgia Strait.
09:16 • 3-4 Humpback Whales below and at Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out

08:31 • Humpback Whales heading north off Sliammon, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

07:59 • 3 Humpback Whales 200m off red markers at south end of Cortes Island, Georgia Strait.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


Thu Jul 20 2017

16:53 • 1 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. One Humpback not trailing gear, but non fluker. No sign of second Humpback. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:53 • 2 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
13:56 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.
13:51 • 1 Humpback Whales off Gibsons Beach just north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Humpback entangled in a prawn trap. ▫ Second Hand
Erik Blaney, IHos Cultural Tours

13:16 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south about 1.5 miles south of Howe Island, Discovery Passage. Along the Sonora shore.
11:44 • 1 Humpback Whales heading into Bute Inlet.
11:44 • 1 Humpback Whales heading towards Church House, Calm Channel.
10:55 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east towards Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
09:54 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
09:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north just south of Rendezvous Islands heading for Raza Island, Calm Channel.

Wed Jul 19 2017

16:23 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

14:44 • 4 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Notcho◦ and three others split up between Rendezvous Islands and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south into top of Lewis Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales, Deer Passage.
10:29 • Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Sliammon, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out

09:51 • 2 Humpback Whales near the red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
09:50 • 3 Humpback Whales near the red can at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
09:45 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south between Penn Islands and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. At 09:51, changed direction to northbound.
09:10 • Humpback Whales milling, north side of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

08:26 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Hornby Island, Lambert Channel. From a guide. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

08:07 • 1 Humpback Whales by Gillard Islands, Yuculta Rapids. Small whale.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

07:20 • Humpback Whales milling, north of Jimmy Judd Island near Mermaid Bay, Dent Rapids.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters


Tue Jul 18 2017

10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-west just NW of Sisters Islets, Georgia Strait. Observed from our sailboat for about 20 minutes. Travelling and diving. One episode of finning. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Eric Grantner, Nanaimo, BC



SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching in Sutil Channel
Mon, 17 Jul 2017 - 2 items
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures





SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching in Sutil Channel
Mon, 17 Jul 2017 - 2 items
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures




SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale heading south off of Tribune Bay on Hornby Island
Tue, 18 Jul 2017 - 1 items
Shari Dalager, Bowser, BC



SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale heading south off of Tribune Bay on Hornby Island
Tue, 18 Jul 2017 - 1 items
Shari Dalager, Bowser, BC




PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Sun Jul 23 2017

15:05 • 30-40 PWS Dolphins milling, at McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.


SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 30 to 40 Pacific White Sided Dolphons at McMullen Point
Sun, 23 Jul 2017 - 9 items










SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 30 to 40 Pacific White Sided Dolphons at McMullen Point
Sun, 23 Jul 2017 - 9 items


13:20 • PWS Dolphins by Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out


Sat Jul 22 2017

15:20 • 10 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading north past Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
10:22 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins in Thurston Bay, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.

Fri Jul 21 2017

18:11 • PWS Dolphins off the ferry terminal at Campbell River mid-channel Discovery Passage.
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

15:01 • PWS Dolphins milling, Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:32 • PWS Dolphins at Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage.
12:38 • PWS Dolphins off Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:14 • PWS Dolphins heading north off Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
10:09 • PWS Dolphins heading south at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. Large Group.

Thu Jul 20 2017

13:55 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.


SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins off of Chatham Point
Thu, 20 Jul 2017 - 4 items





SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins off of Chatham Point
Thu, 20 Jul 2017 - 4 items


11:50 • PWS Dolphins heading west towards Camp Point east of Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:46 • PWS Dolphins moving slowly, heading east off Tyee Point on West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
11:16 • PWS Dolphins below Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand

Wed Jul 19 2017

16:27 • PWS Dolphins north of Moriarty Point and Granite Point, Discovery Passage. Being followed by Orca.
15:29 • PWS Dolphins off Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
14:33 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins at 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:00 • PWS Dolphins heading south mid-channel from Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage. Two groups.
13:28 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins heading south Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.
12:54 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins doing circles, On the Vancouver Island side just south of Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures



SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins on the Vancouver Island side just south of Kanish Bay
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 5 items






SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 50 Pacific White Sided Dolphins on the Vancouver Island side just south of Kanish Bay
Wed, 19 Jul 2017 - 5 items


12:30 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins heading west at Hardinge Island, Nodales Channel.
11:21 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Call from a boat. ▫ Second Hand
09:09 • PWS Dolphins heading west from Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
08:56 • PWS Dolphins headed towards Nodales Channel, Discovery Passage.
07:47 • PWS Dolphins swimming toward Hall Point out of Frederick Arm.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort

06:45 • PWS Dolphins off Owen Point headed toward Frederick Arm, Nodales Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters



HARBOUR PORPOISE

Thu Jul 20 2017

19:10 • est. 12 Harbour Porpoise about 1-km south of Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC


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The Magazine



REGIONAL


Metro News, BC


Ships passing through a sensitive area off British Columbia’s coast have agreed to slow down in an effort to protect the critically endangered southern resident killer whales.
Researchers believe just 78 Salish Sea orcas remain and warn the species is on the verge of extinction.
One of the major threats to their survival is the amount of noise pollution from marine activity, which makes it difficult for the orcas to communicate and hunt for food.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced Thursday it will launch a pilot project in the Haro Strait – a critical feeding ground for the whales off the east coast of Vancouver Island to San Juan Island – asking vessels to reduce their speed to 11 knots to study whether that measure effectively reduces the amount of underwater noise.
A typical deep sea container ship would normally travel at 18 knots.....


WEST COAST


IB Times



One man in San Francisco got the show of a lifetime when he passed by the famous Golden Gate Bridge and caught sight of several humpback whales swimming under the great structure.

Mauricio Santana posted four videos to Twitter that showed the huge mammals splashing around the the Golden Gate strait under the bridge on Sunday (16 July).


Fox News



Armed with knives on long poles and high-tech equipment, expert marine rescuers and volunteers painstakingly cut a 35-foot long humpback whale free from a shrimp trap Tuesday afternoon after the large mammal had been trapped for five days off the Crescent City coast.

After the whale, which had been tangled up since Thursday, was set back into the Pacific Ocean about 4:30 p.m., it circled the rescue boat a few times.
One fisherman took the gesture as the mammal’s way to say thank you, said Michael Milstein, spokesman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries West Coast Region, one of the lead agencies helping with this Herculean effort.


Ukiah Daily Journal, CA


Volunteers and others, led by a team of marine biologists in Fort Bragg’s Old Rec Gym on Monday, were helping the Noyo Center put together the largest Orca skeleton in the U.S., according to experts there. Michi Main, one expert from Canada who came to head up the project, said the skeleton, at 26 feet long, may be the largest of its kind in the world, as well.

The Orca, an adult male from Alaska, died on the Mendocino Coast in 2015 after tangling himself up in crab pot line. The Noyo Center, with help from the California Academy of Sciences, collected and prepared his bones after his body decayed, perfectly preserving every part....


NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL


The Star, ON


PARIS—A sperm whale appears to have beached on an embankment in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Or maybe not.

A Belgian artists’ collective installed a very real-looking, life-size whale sculpture Friday alongside the Seine River, eliciting surprise and concern from tourists and Parisians alike.

Bart Van Peel, a member of the collective, said the installation is about raising environmental awareness and awakening “the child in everyone who still is puzzled about what is real and what is not.”...


National Geographic, USA


In a first, marine biologists have discovered that some of the Gulf’s common bottlenose dolphins have a knack for decapitating native marine catfish.

Though dolphins usually eat their prey whole, they sometimes get fancy in their meal preparation. Rough-toothed dolphins in the eastern Pacific “filet” mahi-mahi. Dolphins employ division of labor to corral and eat mullet. One 2009 study shows that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins follow “recipes” for preparing cuttlefish meals.


Stan Cook Sea Kayak Adventures
Cape Broyle, NL



Published on Jul 18, 2017
Stan Cook Sea Kayak Adventures with a humpback whale swimming under and alongside kayaks on tour.


Futurity.org


A potentially life-saving method to help raise blood pressure in trauma victims experiencing blood loss gets its inspiration from dolphins and seals.

The pre-hospital intervention is simple—place a bag of ice on the victim’s forehead, eyes, and cheeks. In a small study, the method increased and maintained blood pressure in a simulation of trauma victims experiencing blood loss.

“There is a slight reduction in blood pressure during the simulation and we wanted to see if face cooling would reverse that,” says Zachary Schlader, assistant professor of exercise and nutrition sciences at the University at Buffalo. “It turns out, it does. It raises blood pressure during a simulated hemorrhage situation.”

Mammals like seals and dolphins—and, to a much lesser extent, humans—have what’s called the “mammalian diving reflex.” It’s a physiological function that the animals employ for submersion in water....


The Atlantic, USA


It’s hard to muster sympathy for lice. Most of the parasites seem to be doing fine—living, feeding and multiplying on their hapless hosts. But lice that live on dolphins have it tough. Their hosts are slippery and fast-moving; the lice spend their lonely lives clinging tight and hoping to meet just one other louse they can mate with. And while these parasites can teach scientists about the evolution and behavior of ocean mammals, it’s not clear how the lice themselves survive at all.

Syncyamus aequus is a whale louse, but it doesn’t live on whales and it’s not really a louse. The 30 or so species called whale lice are crustaceans, like crabs—not insects, like the lice that live on humans. Each species infects certain kinds of cetaceans (the group that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises); S. aequus only lives on dolphins. Whale lice do have some similarities to human lice: They can only live on a host’s body, and they spread when two animals rub against each other. But whale lice feed on skin, not blood. And their hosts live in the ocean....


Molly Bawn Whale-Puffin Tours, NL




CBC News


New research published in the journal Current Biology finds that elephant seals identify one another by the rhythm in their calls, much the way humans can discern accents and vocal tone.

Previously there was no recorded example of a non-human mammal that could remember and recognize a wide range of rhythms.

"This is the first natural example where, on a daily basis, an animal uses the memory and the perception of rhythm to recognize other members of the population," lead author Nicolas Mathevon of the Université de Lyon/Saint-Etienne in France said in a written statement.

"There have been experiments with other mammals showing that they can detect rhythm, but only with conditioning."...

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