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Wildlife
Reports
Whales and Wildlife
of 2002
by Dave Snow
The summer of 2002 provided some
outstanding whale watching for our crew of Newfoundland and Labrador
whale enthusiasts. Small numbers of humpbacks have always over wintered
off the Newfoundland coast and we enjoyed regular sightings throughout
the spring until early June when their numbers were swelled by thousands
of whales including lots of small calves arriving from the Caribbean. We
saw good numbers of humpbacks -- and icebergs -- along the northeast
coast from the Labrador Straits to our favorite feeding beach at St.
Vincent's throughout the summer. There were also lots of minke whales
about but we saw fewer fin whales and dolphins than in other years.
The biggest whale surprise of 2002 was
the change in Orca distribution around the coast. After three summers of
hanging out between St. Anthony and Battle Harbour, the Orca sightings
of 2002 were distributed all along the northeast coast. The St. John's
area hosted a family of six Orcas for over a month (lots of sightings
between mid July and August with the last sighting on November 24). The
last sea day of our last Whale Study Week
included a two hour session where we collected dorsal fin photographs of
all six individuals. We also noted some interesting behaviors among the
two dozen humpbacks in the vicinity of these Orcas -- almost everyone
did multiple breaches or loud lob tailing displays as the Orcas swam by.
Perhaps they were advertising that they were strong and healthy in order
to discourage the Orcas from approaching. We photographed several
humpback tails with scars from Orca bites this summer so there are
obviously times when Orcas will do more than encourage breaches and
other loud displays. Interestingly, two minke whales came within 100
yards of some of these Orcas during the time we observed them. The
relationship between minkes and Orcas is difficult to understand. Whale
researchers here have observed Orcas killing minkes, humpbacks and other
whales. This contrasts with Dr. Jon Lien's Red Bay observation in the
spring of 2002 where he saw an Orca and a minke feeding cooperatively.
Lennie, the beluga, is still enjoying her
time in Newfoundland. In 2001 this curious white whale stayed in one
Great Northern Peninsula community for most of the summer and fall
before leaving for the winter. In 2002, Lennie traveled the northeast
coast visiting dozens of communities for a day or two -- and often
swimming with kids -- before continuing on in a generally northern
direction. Biopsies (tiny skin samples collected from the whales)
revealed Lennie and the two other "friendly" belugas that
explored our coast this summer are all visitors from the Baffin Island
area. In September, a new beluga swam into the Bay of Islands -- we are
waiting to find out his origins.
Our special 2002 Orca Expedition had six
varieties of whale on its trip list and provided guests with some
outstanding encounters with dolphins, seals, and a huge black bear. The
large numbers of Orcas previously reported from the Expedition's study
area were not found and we wonder if the needless slaughter of 100 Orcas
trapped along the Greenland coast during the early spring of 2002 caused
this apparent reduction in Orca numbers.
The year's two most unusual whales were a
pygmy sperm whale on the south coast and a Sowerby's beaked whale.
Another rare sighting was a small group of right whales off the Labrador
Straits. This area was once home to the world's largest right whale
population and the huge 16th century industrial complex that saw our
right and bowhead whales slaughtered to light the lamps of Europe's
Renaissance.
We continue coordinating the Newfoundland
portion of the global census of humpbacks. This is a big job since we
are home to the planet's largest feeding gathering. We have also started
an Orca dorsal fin catalogue. Ask for our Orca card if you are
interested in seeing some of our Orca dorsal fin photographs.
In addition, we pass along interesting
wildlife reports and sighting to the appropriate research organizations.
We welcome all photos and stories -- they make our day!
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