6 days and finally a new post :)

Sorry for the delay... I've been busy lately.
I've decided to start posting articles on this blog which I will today!
Alright! Let's get caught up!
*On the 17th at least 20 members of L Pod were up exploring the Blackney Pass, Johnstone Strait area. Lots of humpbacks, sea birds, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and dolphins around there!
*Sadly on Monday night the 21st at 10:15 pm, the Vancouver Aquarium's baby beluga, born June 7th 2009 to Aurora and Imaq named Nala died after a penny and rocks got lodged in her airway Below are some articles on that:
http://www.visitvanaqua.org/news/nala
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Vancouver%20Aquarium%20baby%20beluga%20Nala%20dies%20after%20penny%20rocks%20lodge%20airway/3186557/story.html
Nala's death has also stirred up the question "should whales be kept at the Vancouver Aquarium?" http://snipurl.com/xr8iq
*Next, great news for the whales! WHALING IS STILL BANNED!!!!!!!!!!!! :) HOW GREAT IS THAT?!?!?!?!?!?! More news at Paul Spong's blog: http://orcalab.org/blog/

It's been a LONG and I'm tired so I'll post more news tomorrow if I get the chance!

A mix of good and bad news

I'm glad to announce that it seems like the northern residents are possibly making their way back to the Johnstone Strait for the summer! Sadly, another whale will not be returning with them and another threat has a chance of returning to strike at the whales :( ...

Source: OrcaLab
CetaceaLab reports that a large group of northern resident whales were nearby yesterday (June 15). The group included the A5s, A24s, A34s, Cs and Ds. The A36s were also there along with A12. This is the second sighting of the A36s with A12. Sadly, it looks as if A32 (Cracroft) is now gone as he was not seen during either encounter. He will be missed very much. On another track, Paul is off to the IWC. The meeting is being held in Agadir, Morocco this year. We have set up a blog on www.orcalab.org (link at the top right) so that he will be able to post summaries and comments during the meeting. It is a crucial year for the IWC and for whales. The threat to resume commercial whaling is a very real possibility.
Helena
16 Jun 2010 08:27:59 PDT

RIP L114 :(

I have another sad annoucement.

L114, the first born calf to Matia L77 first spotted in February 2010, is presumed dead. The calf has not been seen with Matia or his/her family this month. Maybe the toxins handed over to this little one were too much :( RIP

Left: L114 and Matia L77

Now for some sad news from the Captives...

June 7, 2010:
SeaWorld orca dies while giving birth
By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel
A killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando died Sunday from complications that arose while she was giving birth, officials said. The park said Taima, born at SeaWorld Orlando in July 1989, died late in the afternoon, approximately 20 hours after going into labor Saturday evening. The calf was stillborn.
To continue reading this go to this link: http://orcahome.de/orcanews.htm
I like the points made by the link above! You must read it!

I just can't believe everything Sea World's lying about!!!!
And that Taima was only 20 and pregnant to her FOURTH calf! Her first calf was born when she was EIGHT! It's so sad... Taima even left a three year old daughter behind. To learn more about Taima herself visit this link: http://www.orcaspirit.co.uk/1210.html?*session*id*key=*session*key*val* or just search Orca Spirit.com if that link doesn't work. Scroll down to Taima and read - I really think it's cruel of Sea World to keep whales they don't even get in the water with in those fish bowls!

Great News

Sorry I haven't been around to post lately but now that I'm back I can share some great news!

The first thing:

The new K pod baby first seen in February was confirmed during the week! This calf was born to 38 year old K12 Sequim!

K43 and K12 are pictured in the left photo

The second thing:

All four 2008 northern resident calves have survived two years and have been named and are available for adoption though the BC Wild Killer Whale Adoption program (KWAP)! A88 (female), the fourth calf of Sonora (A42) has been named Cameleon. A89, the first calf of Schooner (A64) has been named Kanish. A90, the fifth calf of Skagit (A35) has been named Pine, and B17, the second calf of Klaskish (B14) has been named Nasparti. On a sad note Geelta (D15), is no longer available for adoption. Most likely she's presumed dead :(

Check out the family trees and ID photos of the new adoptions as well as all the others here: http://www.killerwhale.org/index2.html

Calls on Lime Kiln Hydrophone

I'm not sure who's calls these are but I'm 99.9% positive these are southern residents. The calls are loud and vocal! I'll let you know who they are!
Update:
J Pod were the whales on the hydrophones!

June is...

June 2010 has been decided on as the fourth annual Orca Month by Governor Chris Gregoire!

This is the month to focus on and help save the southern resident population!

Welcome!

Hello, I have created this blog to share with you my passion for orcas! I'll share anything from something totally out of the blue to the latest updates and news!
The orcas this blog is focused on are the Transients and North and South resident communties, along Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I do post about offshores and captive orcas which I' TOTALLY against and I'll surely post about Corky and Lolita; two resident orcas who have earned their retirement!
Who knows what else will be featured on this blog - whatever the ocean spits up!