A whale watching company based on Vancouver Island captured incredible images of an orca punting a seal numerous feet up above the water.
Established in 1985, Five Star Whales is based in Victoria and offers whale watching tours daily. While it temporarily suspended operations due to COVID-19, the company began offering tours again on June 20.
Yesterday, the whale watching operator shared images of a transient orca launching a seal high above the water to its Instagram page. It writes that, "Yesterday we witnessed some breathtaking action during our encounter with the T10’s!
"This included them punting a hapless Seal clear in the air, it was an unbelievable sight and showed the power and skill of these apex predators."
Five Star Whales adds that it has worked closely with health officials and created a comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Protocol.
Earlier this year, Port of Vancouver tweeted an adorable image of a humpback whale's tail sticking out of Vancouver waters. They add that people should report sightings of whales in local waters by using the WhaleReport app. Alternatively, you can call 1.866.I SAW ONE (1.866.472.9663) to report the sighting.
By reporting your cetacean (whale, dolphin, and porpoise) and sea turtle sightings, you are directly contributing to conservation-based research. Sightings are analyzed to obtain valuable information about species distribution patterns and aid in future recovery and management plans for species at risk.
Thinking of going whale watching on the water?
Be Whale Wise advises that, "Boats must stay 400 metres from orcas or killer whales in Southern Resident Killer Whales’ critical habitat and in Canadian waters in the Pacific Ocean east of Vancouver Island and south of Campbell River." In addition, "Boats must stay 200 metres from all killer whales in other Canadian Pacific waters and from all whales, dolphins or porpoises if they are resting or with a calf."
Be Whale Wise adds that boaters should use, "the Whale Warning Flag to warn fellow boaters to the presence of whales and be aware of the flag when you’re cruising the area," and also to, "Go slow (<7knots) within 1,000 metres, or a half mile, of killer whales."
For more information on Be Whale Wise guidelines, go HERE.
