#t124c

[snini-9]

February 26, 2020: Transients-Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca/Smith Island

T077A and T124C

T077A 

T124C

Scared but Lucky Stellar Sea lion

Photo Credit: The Center for Whale Research Encounter #11 - Feb 26, 2020

[toxic-north]

This photo was taken on my first day at my new job. Meet Cooper. He is Transient Orca T124C and lives in the Salish Sea! Cooper is a lone male which means he doesn’t have his own pod. He travels by himself until he runs into another pod and will spend time with them. He is often seen with his Sister’s pod, T124A’s, and his Nieces pod the T124A2′s.  Cooper is full grown and that means his dorsal fin is about 6 feet tall! He also has a distinct notch about 1/3 down from the top of his fin that makes him very easy to spot (though sometimes I still confuse him with Noah who has the same mark but is a much bigger boy!)

Transient Orcas in the Salish Sea are doing very well and making a big comeback after the Commercial Whaling in the 50′s-60′s. transient Orcas feed primarily on Harbour Seals, but will also hunt porpoises, whales and sea lions. They will NOT eat fish! They are mammal hunters exclusively!  Stay tuned for more updates on Cooper and the rest of the transient orcas (and humpbacks!) in our beautiful BC Waters :)