Rare sighting of sperm whale off Vancouver Island

After an absence of more than three decades, a sperm whale has been heard and seen in Johnstone Strait, a passage of water separating northern Vancouver Island from mainland Canada. This area is renowned as being home to the famous Northern resident population of orcas and while other species are also recorded, the reappearance of a sperm whale this week took researchers by surprise.

The sounds made by the whale were picked up on hydrophones (underwater microphones) by the team at Orcalab which enabled another researcher, Jared Towers to head onto the water to find the whale which he estimated to be about 40ft long.

By adopting one of the northern resident orcas you can help WDC to support Orcalab’s vital work.