Luck was in the air today as we only had to travel a short distance to Dodd Narrows to spend time with our Orca! When we pulled up they seemed to be celebrating, judging by all the gulls looking for scraps, we think they were just finishing a hunt. With some breaches, tail slapping and a whole lot of speed we watched our majestic Orca having a great time more than likely burning off calories from the meal! The Orca present today were:

T065B Chunk ♀ (1993)
T065B1 Birdsall ♂ (2011)
T065B2 Nettle ♂ (2019)
T065B3 (2023)

T019 Nootka ♀ (~1965)
T019B Galiano ♂ (1995)
T019C Spouter ♂ (2001)

When you think of the ocean’s most captivating creatures, the orca, or killer whale (Orcinus orca), often comes to mind. These apex predators aren’t just powerful hunters; they’re also deeply social, intelligent, and deeply connected to their pods. Here on Vancouver Island, we’re lucky to witness these remarkable cetaceans in their natural habitat. Let’s dive into the life cycle of an orca and explore how these magnificent animals grow, thrive, and contribute to the rich tapestry of marine life.

Orca calves are born after a gestation period of 15 to 18 months. That’s a long wait, but for good reason—the mother needs plenty of time to nurture her developing baby. When the calf is born, it emerges tail first, measuring about 2.5 meters (8 feet) long and weighing around 180 kilograms (400 pounds).

From the moment they’re born, orca calves are surrounded by the protective embrace of their pod. This tight-knit group helps raise the calf, teaching it vital survival skills. In the wild waters of Vancouver Island, we’ve seen pods celebrating new births—an amazing reminder of the bonds these families share. During the first few years of life, orca calves stay close to their mothers. These early years are critical for learning how to hunt, navigate, and communicate. Mothers teach their young how to catch fish or marine mammals, depending on the pod’s diet. Southern Resident Orcas, for example, specialize in salmon, while Transient (or Bigg’s) Orcas hunt mammals like seals and sea lions.

Social play is also a big part of a young orca’s development. Calves chase each other, breach, and spyhop as they practice coordination and strengthen bonds. Observing these behaviours during our tours never fails to remind us how playful and curious orcas can be. As orca grow, they take on more responsibilities within the pod. Young males often engage in playful sparring, honing the strength and skills they’ll use as adults. Females begin learning from their mothers and aunts about pod leadership and calf-rearing.

Pods are matriarchal, and the older females hold the wisdom of generations. This knowledge is passed down, ensuring the pod’s success. If you’ve ever wondered how orcas can live in such dynamic social groups, their adolescence is where much of this foundation is laid. Orca reach maturity at around 10 to 20 years of age, but their roles within the pod depend on their gender. Males often remain with their mothers for life, providing protection and contributing to the pod’s social dynamics. Females, meanwhile, become central figures in the pod, often leading their family groups.

One of the most fascinating aspects of orcas is their longevity. Female orcas can live up to 100 years, while males typically live around 40 to 50 years. Some females even experience menopause, which scientists believe allows them to take on leadership roles within their pods. The matriarchs of orca pods are the heart and soul of their families. These older females guide their pods through hunting grounds, avoid dangers, and even navigate shifts in food availability caused by climate change. Their long lifespans and shared wisdom are critical to the group’s survival.

On our tours, spotting an older orca leading her pod is always awe-inspiring. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of these animals and their ability to thrive in a challenging and ever-changing environment. The life cycle of an orca is a continuous story of growth, learning, and connection. From the first breath of a newborn calf to the wisdom of an experienced matriarch, orcas embody the beauty of family bonds and the complexity of marine life.

When you join us on a whale-watching tour, you’re not just witnessing orcas in their natural environment; you’re stepping into a living story that has played out in the waters of Vancouver Island for generations! Keep an eye on our blogs for updates on T018 Esperanza the matriarch of the T018s who has been off on her own since August.

After spending time with some of our favorite Orca we continued the search along the inside of the Southern Gulf Islands and decided to peek out of Polier Pass into the Strait. We were lucky again! It was a special treat to be in what we call Humpback soup, we were surrounded! Our best guess as to why it was so soupy, is the food concentration in this area, it’s a hot spot. The Humpbacks we encountered today were: Poptart (BCY1014), Lego (BCY1061), Chandelle (BCX2140), Professor X (BCX1965) and 1 unknown friend. There were many more blows in the distance, but we did not have the time to visit them all! I guess you could say it is a good problem to have! They seemed to be going in large circles around us, this is an indication they were getting a meal as well! Getting to see both species feeding today started to make us a little hungry ourselves it was time to head back taking in the setting sun!

Luck was still on our side as we spotted at least 3 majestic Bald Eagles on the way. We also had to make one last quick stop to meet our Sea Lions at the Canoe Islands. They were just as noisy as ever in their continual strive for the best spot on the rocks, bickering and pushing each other off entertainingly! We also had plenty of Cormorants drying off on the rocks among the sea lions. Once we floated downwind, we decided it was time to leave as their stink hit our nostrils! With that, we popped back inside the shelter of the Gulf Islands, back through Dodd Narrows arriving back in port with smiles all around!

Photos taken by Marine Naturalist Vanessa Vereschahen.

November 30, 2024 - A double species day to end the month!

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