EncDate:11/06/24 

EncSeq:2

Enc#:49

ObservBegin:12:55 PM

ObservEnd:01:32 PM

Vessel:KCB III

Staff:Michael Weiss, Darren Croft

Other Observers:Rachel John, Taylor Redmond

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:Boundary Pass

Start Latitude:48 43.31

Start Longitude:123 07.85

End Latitude:48 44.24

End Longitude:123 07.11

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EncSummary:

After returning to the dock (see encounter 48), the team dropped off Dave and picked up Rachel and Darren before heading back out to the T65As, leaving the dock at 1224.

The team arrived on scene with the T65As on the US side of Boundary Pass at 1255. Initially, the whales were spread into two groups, but quickly after the team arrived on scene they joined up into one group. As the team prepped the drone, the whales apparently started hunting a porpoise.

The team got the drone in the air, and observed the whales sharing and processing a fresh porpoise kill. The whales milled for several minutes, eating and socializing. T65A2 exhibited the "moonwalking" behavior, where Bigg's killer whales will surface in reverse, as he positioned himself to share food with his siblings.

After a bit of eating, the whales shifted behavior and began travelling northeast. The team landed the drone and took on quick photo ID pass on the group. After their pass, the team ended the encounter at 1332 and headed back to the dock.