Above photo of captive-born Athena (4 years old) with mom Kiska copyrighted to me, Tsitika. Don't take without permission.
Well, welcome to 2008! I realize this page is way overdue, but ah well. I'm not sure anyone is still reading! Anyway, here's to another year of births, deaths and dramatic changes in the world of wild and captive orcas. This year I'm not including birthdays, but you can see a list of orca birthdays Here! if you want to know. Cheers!
June 27 - Congratulations Fifer and Christie!
Two new babies for the Northern Residents! Fifer (C13) has given birth to her second calf, C28. Fifer's first calf, Kestral, was born in 2000. C28 was born in 2007. Christie (D11) gave birth to her fourth calf in 2007, D25. Christie lost a baby in 2004, so here's hoping this little one will be more fortunate. She has an adult daughter, Fisher.
Above photo of C-Pod, including Fifer, copyrighted to me, Tsitika/Orcasforever.
June 27 - Names, Sprouters & Illness
Lots of news from the Northern Residents this month! First off, a set of last year's calves have been given names, indicating they've survived their first year.
A85, the first baby for 23-year-old Nodales (A51), has been named Cordero
A86, the second calf for Blinkhorn (A54) in the A30 family, has been named Cutter
C26, the 2004 calf of Koeye (C10) has been named Naysash
D23, the second baby for young Cascade (D13) has been named Nowish
Congratulations to all these little ones for surviving their first year!
Diver (C22) of the C6 family, has started to sprout! The 11-year-old whale is now confirmed to be a male. Diver's family has a large number of males, including uncles Hunter and Squally and big brother Kisameet.
T2C2, the second baby for Tasu in the T2 family of transients, has apparently developed scoliosis. The calf was born in 2005 but it seems the future is very uncertain for this young transient.
Above photo of sprouter Diver copyrighted to Margaret Heslin. Do not steal without permission!
June 27 - RIP Canoona, Ta-aack, T2B1
Sad news from the Northern Residents. The year of 2007 brought a few deaths and few disappearances. Canoona (A82) unfortunately died over the winter of 2006 - 2007. Canoona was born in 2004; mother Racey died the next year, and in 2006, the calf was hit by a speedboat, leaving bad injuries. Although Canoona was adopted by aunt Kiltik, it appears the calf didn't make it. RIP Canoona! Ta-aack (C25), the youngest calf of Lama, also seems to have died over the winter. Ta-aack was born in 2004. RIP little one. T2B1 was the first calf of Pedder (T2B). T2B1 popped up in 2007 to the delight of many whale-watchers, but sadly it seems the calf didn't survive its first year. RIP baby!
On the missing side, Seaforth (T29), a bull transient who usually travels alone, hasn't been seen for a few years and is presumed missing. Also missing is Pachena (T12). Her son has been seen alone a few times. Let's hope these two show up!
Above photo including Lama with young Ta-aack copyrighted to me, Tsitika.
June 25 - All A30 Whales Survived Winter!
It's fantastic to hear that the A30 matriline has returned from winter all in one piece. The matriline, made of Tsitika (A30), her two sons, her two daughters, and four grandchildren, swam directly through the oil spill last year, several times. Researchers were worried they may not survive the winter, but the entire family returned, looking healthy. The famous Springer (A73) and her family have also been seen looking fine! Unfortunately, the sunken barge is still down in Robson Bight posing a danger to the whales. Hopefully someone will finally get a move on and dredge it up before the whales arrive at the Bight, causing more danger.
Above photo of the A30 matriline copyrighted to Trish. Don't take without permission!
June 16 - RIP Halyn
Tragically, Halyn at Seaworld San Antonio in Texas has passed away. Halyn was only 2 years old and well-loved by everyone at the park. The little girl was born in 2005 and rejected by her mother Kayla, and so she became the first hand-raised killer whale in the world. It's unknown what the cause of death was. This is particularly tragic as another whale in Texas, Taku, died within the last year. This leaves San Antonio with only four whales, Keet (Halyn's father), Kayla, Tekoa and Kyuquot. My heart goes out to the staff who dedicated so much time to raising Halyn. RIP little girl.
Above photo copyrighted to Jenna. Do not take without permission!
June 14 - RIP A11 Calf
Sad, and confusing news from the Northern Residents. Last year, you may recall that Yakat (A11) was seen with a new baby, astonishing indeed as she was well over 40 years old. There was some confusion however, and the calf may have been her daughter Nahwitti's baby. Either way, the calf sadly disappeared over the winter and is presumed dead. RIP little one!
Above photo of Yakat, with her son Skeena, copyrighted to me, Tsitika.
June 7 - Congratulations Lea!
Happy news from the Southern Residents! Lea (K14) has been seen with a brand-new baby, her fourth calf. Sadly, she lost 2 previous calves at a young age. Her two surviving children, Lobo and Yoda, are doing well. The new calf is K42. Congratulations K-Pod!
Above photo of K42, the new calf, copyrighted to the Center for Whale Research. Do not take without permission!
June 5 - Congratulations Lovey!
Kamogawa SeaWorld in Japan has announced that their young female, Lovey, is pregnant! The whale is due to give birth in October. Lovey was born in 1998 to Stella and Bingo, and she was the first captive-born whale to survive in Japan. This beautiful young whale has helped her mother raise 3 subsequent sisters and has a lot of experience dealing with young whales. The father of Lovey's calf is the unrelated male Oscar. This will be the first second-generation captive whale in Japan. Congratulations Lovey!
May 25 - Congratulations Havannah!
Havannah (A28) of the Northern Residents has just been seen with her first baby! The calf has been nicknamed Taylor because it was first seen in Taylor Straight. This is particularly remarkable because Havannah is 34 years old! It was presumed that she was unable to have calves. She has been a great aunt for her sister's 3 calves, so here's hoping for her own baby!
April 5 - RIP J43
As quickly as they come, they go. Samish (J14)'s newest calf J43, born only late last year, has disappeared and is presumed dead. J43 was Samish's 5th calf, joining sisters Hy'Shqa and Suttles and brother Riptide. The first year of a calf's life is always the most dangerous, and it appears J43 was unable to survive. RIP little one!
February 28 - SeaWorld Dubai?
That's what the future holds, apparently. Seaworld has announced that in 2012, it will be opening a new park in Dubai, in the Middle East. They will send some of their orcas, and bottlenose dolphins over to the park. It is unknown which whales will be moved.
January 15 - RIP Nootka 5
I'm incredibly sad to say that Nootka 5, an adult female whale at Marineland Ontario, passed away about a week ago. She was captured in 1981 from Iceland. She died January 8 of unknown causes. Nootka was a spectacularly beautiful whale and had a very distinct personality. She either liked you, or she didn't. Nootka was one of the few captive whales I've known in person, and the first whale I ever interacted with. Though I didn't see her very often in relative terms, she was a very special whale and I'm glad I met her. I can't imagine how her trainers feel. She had 5 calves, all of whom passed away. RIP beautiful girl!
Above photo of Nootka copyrighted to me, Tsitika.