News Releases

On Sunday several orcas were spotted in Esperanza Inlet near Graveyard Bay. Esperanza Inlet is north of the “mouth” of Nootka Sound. At this time, we are awaiting more information on possible orca IDs.

There are four possibilities of who these whales could be, with transients or offshores being the most likely. In this area, it is common to see transients.

However, the last report of Northern Residents was from November 5 when there were some sub-pods around Hanson Island. And the last report of K pod and L pod comes from November 8, in their summer waters near the San Juan Islands (J pod was spotted there this morning). Northern and Southern Resident whales have been reported around the Nootka Sound area a few times a year.

Today, researchers are out on calm waters to see if the whales are still in the area and if an ID can be made. After an initial survey this morning, no whales have been reported.

Luna was last seen on Saturday in one of his usual hangouts. He was spending time near a Canadian Coast Guard vessel. This area is out of earshot of Esperanza Inlet, so Luna would not have heard the whales if he was in the same place on Sunday.

Luna is a six-year-old orca who has spent the past three or so years in Nootka Sound, unable to meet up with his L pod family.

The Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation believe that Luna carries the spirit of their deceased Chief, Ambrose Maquinna. A potlatch was held in honour of the late chief this weekend.

If anyone sees Luna or any other orca, please email us as soon as you can with as much detail as possible (researchers like to know the time, the number of whales, the place, the direction they were headed, number of males (large dorsal fins), or younger ones). You can also report your sightings to OrcaNetwork, toll-free at 866-ORCANET (672-2638).