There are three distinct populations of Orcas (killer whales): Residents,Transients and Offshores.

While our resident British Columbia Orcas live in groups, or pods, containing 10-25 animals, transient killer whales travel in smaller groups of 2-5 animals. Each individual pod is led by a dominant female.

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The feeding behaviour is also different: The primary food source of our resident Orcas is salmon while transients also feed frequently on marine mammals like seals, sea lions and other whales.

The present resident Orca population in Johnstone Strait is approximately 200 animals.

The animals are identified by their different dorsal fins and sattle patches. Photo left.

Little is known about the off shore Orcas. The travel in pods of 30-60 individuals and are seldom seen in protected coastal waters.

The picture on the left shows a male with it's large dorsal fin and the female.

These two Orcas are very likely Transients, travelling in very small groups hunting marine mammals.

 

 

While there are several books and websites available which provide information about killer whales, we still prefer the more scientific approach "killer whales" written by John K.B. Ford, which contains photos and description of almost all resident Orcas of the Johnstone Strait area.

More information about whale watching in British Columbia