Bigg’s KELŁOLEMEĆEN Encounter

February 21, 2025

The waters have been quiet this month with less activity than usual. However, on Friday, February 21, 2025 our team identified 4 Bigg’s KELȽOLEMEĆEN (killer whale) south of ĆTESU (D’arcy Island). This group was moving quickly to the west of W̱OYOMEĆEṈ (Sidney Island). We took photos of their saddle patches and dorsal fins for identification and left the scene to prevent disturbing them.

This group has been identified as the T090s.

We flew our Whale Warning Flag for one nearby vessel to alert them that whales were in the area and to slow down. Additionally, we stopped one fishing vessel in Sidney Channel to remind them of marine mammal regulations and inform them of the whales’ presence.

In addition to the KELȽOLEMEĆEN, our team observed hundreds of EŚAS (Sea Lion), both California and Steller, at XIXNEŚETEṈ (Helen Point) and through SḴŦAḴ (Active Pass).

All photos are taken with a 200-600 zoom lens.