A Window into the Lives of Resident Killer Whales

From the Gikumi research vessel, the UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit and the Hakai Institute headed out on the Salish Sea and off the Central Coast of British Columbia to study the foraging behaviours of resident killer whales.
Killer whales live for decades in groups, passing down knowledge. But some whales are at risk of being lost for good due to water and noise pollution, increased shipping traffic, and a shrinking food supply.
Southern residents, classified as endangered, are especially at risk. Researchers hope this study could lead to solutions to help these whales.
Research conducted under DFO and UBC animal care permit (XMMS 6 2019 & A19-0053)
Produced by Katrina Pyne and Meigan Henry
Edited by Meigan Henry
Videography by Keith Holmes and Sarah Fortune
Additional Videography by Grant Callegari and Eiko Jones

[@robertspaggiari7033]

Nice footage, but it's not a mystery that there's hardly any fish. Just ask the fishermen. Mind you, the efforts to clear the landslide on the Fraser River have been absolutely heroic. Well done Canada! It could mean that there are some bad years but also some better ones, at least for the Fraser River runs that the Southern Residents chase in their summer habitat.

[@aidangm7419]

However, they primarily need to restore chinook salmon specifically. They have a higher caloric value since they are the biggest of the pacific salmon.

[@yourfreedom477]

I always wondered if the resident and transient whales interact or avoid each other

[@robertspaggiari7033]

Good question! In all the sightings going back a few decades they studiously avoid each other. For example, if they happen to pass each other in the same strait, the residents will go along one shoreline, and the transients will stay as far away as possible on the other side.

[@CleverClover2023]

They dont interact at all. Resident orcas are very chatty and transients are generally quiet.

[@michael123cody5]

They interact with eachother play with eachother they just dont breed together.

[@morganistrue]

Sometimes they interact, but they usually prefer to avoid each other as they can't communicate and have very different languages.

[@CleverClover2023]

@@michael123cody5 No they dont. The two communities avoid eachother are are never seen interacting or playing. They speak different languages and have distinct behaviors.

[@outoftime7740]

They eat Chinook salmon only.

[@outoftime7740]

Endangered by Seaworld and the latter. All for captivity.