Mother orca with 3 offpsring in Vancouver’s False Creek a sign of recovery: researcher

A recent sighting of a family of orcas in Vancouver’s False Creek has brought immense joy to those who witnessed the majestic creatures in action. The encounter took place on a Sunday, as Joanne Randle was traveling on False Creek Ferries, a small commuter service that shuttles people to and from Granville Island. The captain suddenly announced the presence of orcas ahead, prompting Randle and a few other passengers to rush to the windows in excitement. The whales were so close that it felt like they could almost be touched.

A video of the orcas gliding past the city’s highrise buildings was shared by Randle and False Creek Ferries, capturing the awe and wonder of the passengers on board. The experience was particularly poignant for Randle, as it reminded her of her late father, who had found solace and joy in watching a video of orcas that she had sent him before his passing.

Andrew Trites, the director of the University of British Columbia’s marine mammal research unit, identified the orcas as a family group of transient killer whales, consisting of a mother and her three offspring. Trites noted that the whales were moving stealthily like “ghosts” to avoid alerting their prey, showcasing their hunting prowess in the urban waterway.

The appearance of the whales in False Creek is a rare occurrence, with Trites mentioning that it was the first time the 26-year-old mother orca, known as T35A, had been spotted in downtown Vancouver with her young ones. This sighting is a positive sign of the recovery of the Salish Sea, indicating a healthy and vibrant ecosystem similar to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Trites attributed the whales’ presence in downtown Vancouver to changes in the behavior of seals, forcing the orcas to hunt in unexpected areas like False Creek. He emphasized the importance of such encounters, highlighting the recovered health of the marine environment and the increasing sightings of killer whales in new territories.

The population of transient orcas in British Columbia is steadily growing, indicating a positive trend in their conservation efforts. While the species remains threatened and in need of protection, the sightings of these magnificent creatures serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of marine life and the importance of preserving their habitats.

Overall, the encounter with the orcas in False Creek was described as a magical experience by Trites, underscoring the privilege of witnessing these majestic animals in their natural habitat. The sighting serves as a testament to the beauty and resilience of marine life, urging us to cherish and protect these incredible creatures for future generations.