A young killer whale sporting a fresh wound likely caused by a boat strike has been spotted swimming off the north coast of Vancouver Island, according to researchers.
The six-year-old orca, identified as A95 – or Fern – was spotted in Johnstone Strait Saturday by researchers from the Vancouver Aquarium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The whale is believed to be from the northern resident population.
The bloody wounds on its flank and dorsal fin appear to be consistent with injuries inflicted by a propeller and were likely caused the same day, they said.
Despite the injuries, the whale appeared “vigorous, engaged in social activity and apparently behaving normally,” a spokesperson for the Aquarium said in a statement.
A drone snapped aerial photos from 100 feet above the whale that will allow experts to determine its overall health.
“Although rare, incidents of boat strikes on killer whales do happen,” Vancouver Aquarium research biologist Meghan Moore said. “Twelve years ago, A95’s great uncle A60 (Fife) was spotted with a series of deep, parallel cuts on and just below the right side of his dorsal fin; we believe they were caused by a boat propeller. They’ve since healed and Fife is alive and doing well today.”
She added the wound seen in photos appears superficial and will likely heal.
The Aquarium is reminding boaters not to approach any whales or dolphins any closer than 100 metres.
A wounded orca is shown swimming in the Johnstone Strait off the north coast of Vancouver Island on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015. (Courtesy Vancouver Aquarium/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
