Unforgettable Encounter: An Orca and Her Three Calves on a Lake Hunting Expedition in Canada

A mother orca and her three calves were spotted in an inlet in Vancouver while hunting.

A family of orcas present in a stream in Vancouver

Two days ago, passengers on the False Creek Ferries, a small transport boat that sails on Vancouver's lakes, were surprised to see that four orcas were crossing False Creek like them. “Suddenly, the captain announced that there were orcas in front of us”reports Joanne Randle, one of the people present on the boat to the BBC channel.

This is not the first time that orcas have been observed on this lake. Indeed, these animals have already taken this path in 2010 or even in 2019. According to the CBC, Canadian media, the government of British Columbia estimated that there were 206 orcas migrating in the coastal waters of the province in 2021, while US authorities estimated the total population at around 350.

A family hunting trip

This little family was not there by chance. The silent behavior of these imposing mammals indicated that they were in the hunting phase, as explained by Andrew Trites, director of the marine mammal research unit at the University of British Columbia.

“They are on the hunt and therefore do not want to make a big noise. They want to arrive discreetly, as if they weren’t even there.” Orcas are carnivorous predators that hunt in groups and feed on several marine living things such as octopuses, seals, sea turtles, and even shark liver.

The orca, an animal that fascinates

In zoos and amusement parks, orca shows continue to attract visitors, much to the chagrin of organizations that have been fighting for decades against the protection of animals. A documentary film released in 2013, entitled Blackfish, which takes up the SeaWorld affair, a water park where a captivated orca caused the death of three people. A law was established in France stating that it was illegal to keep orcas. The Marineland park located on the Côte d'Azur, for example, has until 2026 to part with its two orcas still in captivity.

These animals, known for their sociability, intelligence and ability to learn, fascinate young and old alike. Their sensitive and emotional side, especially empathy, is a quality that orcas have and which is very popular. For example, researchers have observed that these mammals can display protective behavior towards other species, including those they hunt like seals.

Source: CBC