Initial sighting raises concern for endangered orca
A sighting of an endangered southern resident killer whale near Victoria recently caught public attention when observers noticed a fresh wound at the base of the animal’s dorsal fin. Given that vessel strikes are a known threat to whales, initial reactions from the public and some on social media raised fears that the injury might have been caused by a boat.
Experts say injury likely from another orca
Marine researchers and specialists quickly reviewed the sighting and concluded that the wound was not the result of a vessel strike. Instead, analysts say the markings are consistent with rake marks from another orca’s teeth, a type of injury that arises from social interactions or male sparring within pods. These kinds of bite marks are common and occur naturally in orca behaviour.
The injured whale was identified as a 16-year-old member of the southern resident population. Despite its fresh wound, experts report that the injury does not show signs typical of a collision with a boat, and the animal appears to be otherwise healthy following the encounter.
Why vessel strikes are still a concern
Although this particular injury was not caused by human activity, vessel strikes remain a serious issue for large marine mammals in busy coastal waters. Collisions between boats and whales can occur when animals surface unexpectedly or in areas with heavy ship traffic. Whales are hard to spot from the surface, and even careful operators can have difficulty avoiding them.
Regulators and conservation groups continue to promote safe boating practices and guidelines to help reduce the risk of vessel strikes in orca habitat, even as researchers learn more about natural injuries that can appear similar.
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