EncDate:17/07/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:73

ObservBegin:02:04 PM

ObservEnd:02:45 PM

Vessel:KCB III

Staff:Michael Weiss

Other Observers:Alondra Caro Ruiz, Taylor Redmond, Arlene Vargas, Delphine de Moor

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:D'Arcy Island

Start Latitude:48 34.56

Start Longitude:123 16.26

End Latitude:48 34.85

End Longitude:123 17.65

 

EncSummary:

The team had heard of two groups of Bigg's across Haro Strait from the CWR, but wasn't able to get a good fix on them with the big eyes from the office. They decided to go take a look, and left the dock at 13:43.

After a quick put across Haro, the team arrived on scene with the T109As. The whales were just coming north between D'arcy and Little D'arcy. The team observed them milling at the surface, and doing their "moonwalking" behavior, which is indicative of prey sharing. The whales finished up their meal and started to cross Hughes Passage.

The whales split up a bit and began circling the nearby reefs and the Small Islands, apparently still in hunting mode. The team watched them hunt for a few minutes, but they were too close to the rocks for safe photo-ID passes. After logging their behavior and making sure we had everyone on film, the team wrapped up the encounter and headed back home at 14:45.

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