Less than a month ago, the 65-foot Sea Wolf II and its dozen or so passengers were making their way through the rough waters of the Monterey Bay when 40 giant black and white killer whales caught their attention.
SENTINEL VIDEO: Killer whales visit Monterey Bay
Read more about: Animals · Santa Cruz · News Update
19 responses so far ↓
Karen Ferguson // Feb 25, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Awesome video of the whales…how very special, and they don’t eat our seals to boot. Great job, I am very facinated with Orca’s myself and would love the oppertunity to photo op them.
David Swanger // Feb 26, 2008 at 8:10 am
I appreciate the video and the story; and also wish to know more about the health of the Orcas. Are they in good shape? Are they starving? Are there enough salmon left off our coast to sustain a forty-whale pod? The story indicates that the whales may not be doing well. More details? Thanks.
Michael Lee Goodman the 1st // Feb 27, 2008 at 12:19 pm
2 + 27 + star date 2008
I couln’t get the audio , because the Santa Cruz City libraray has no Audio on the Computers.
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david kraemer // Feb 27, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Beautiful dorsal fins! wow
Roger Fitch // Feb 27, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Independent research?! We even know all the way down here in Santa Barbara that this lady was removed from all research privileges for endangering the animals! Did you see her catch a whale watch boat on fire! If you want more information on these animals from the people who actually do care check out The Orca Network www.orcanetwork.org in the Pacific Northwest and The Center for Whale Research www.whaleresearch.com these are the real researchers that know what is going on and how we can help. I also hear that for you guys locally you can find out more information on how to possibly make a difference at the Seymour Center.
Frank Hennessey // Feb 28, 2008 at 9:41 am
I don’t like to see so many Orca’s in the bay becuase they are hunting the calf’s of the gray Whale which is the migrantory path of the Gray Whale.
Logan // Feb 29, 2008 at 10:43 am
Gee Frank if people weren’t destroying (meaning over fishing and polluting) their food supply. Then maybe just maybe the Orca’s wouldn’t be in this particular area. Thanks Rodger for that information on woman they interviewed for this story. I have to ask why did they pick this particular person to interview for the story, when they would have to know something about her or at least you would think so?!
Tara // Mar 7, 2008 at 11:01 am
I’m sad that the Sentinel would choose “killer whales” to use in their headline instead of Orca. It seems like such a sensationalist choice. Just the fact that the orcas were in the Bay should be enough to draw attention to the story. They are actually a member of the dolphin family anyways.
Margaret Pedersen // Mar 13, 2008 at 2:03 pm
In response to Frank Hennessey’s comment - they are different groups of orcas, some that are considered transient that do hunt both gray whale calfs and seals and others that are primarily fish eaters. These particular orcas are the fish eating variety, and they are here because there aren’t enough salmon in the Pacific Northwest for them anymore. And that is the point of the story.
Shannon Lucy // Mar 14, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Salmon is my favourite meal. Does this mean that I can’t have salmon anymore?
drewdog // Mar 17, 2008 at 6:26 pm
its a good thing orcas dont use a rod and reel to fish in ca/oregon because
they’ed be dead by now. thanks to water diversions in the delta there will be NO take of salmon by anyone in either state because of the lowest runs ever. our government has shut down the most important fishery in the state to grow cotton in the desert.please go to usafishing.com and sign the petition
to get our taxeaters to get it together and save the salmon and all who depend them, human and animal alike
Kevin Collins // Mar 22, 2008 at 10:28 pm
These are Pudget Sound Orcas that may be on the move because they can not find enough food up north. If they are looking for salmon in Monterey Bay they are out of luck. Salmon are crashing from California to Washington. DF&G and NOAA are managing extinction. Despite the grandure of these whales, this is a sad picture.
Fred Hyden // Mar 23, 2008 at 6:05 am
I remember a few years ago when all the tree huggers pointed to a poor salmon catch season as proof the salmon are headed for extinction and the very next season there was a record catch. You couldn’t even back your car out of the garage without running over salmon. Come back when you have some proof that the salmon are crashing. As to this being a sad picture Mr. Collins, you see what you want to see.
Gabe // Mar 25, 2008 at 5:46 am
Save a Salmon eat an Orca.
Dr. Seuss // Mar 25, 2008 at 6:45 am
One fish,
Two fish,
Orcas ate more than
a hundred twenty two fish!
Flaming Eagle // Mar 31, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Is it possible the orca are in Monterey Bay because there actually are salmon to find here? I would appreciate hearing from fishermen who know the bay to weigh in on whether or not the salmon are as depleted as the scientists say they are.
oosolosoo // Apr 9, 2008 at 9:30 pm
The transient pods do hunt mammals, and are probably down there for the abundant sea lions and the grey whale migration. — The whales going north this time of year cross the open ocean at the mouth of Monterey Bay making for prime hunting—.
The salmon eating orcas are pretty much permanent residents of the NW, and you would be unlikely to see them down there. Besides, I live in the NW (British Columbia), and there still seem to be salmon around here.
Just for an additional note on the subject, two years ago, a pod of six transient orcas cornered a Minke whale in our harbour, and had their way with him. Killed him seemingly for the sport of it— chasing him for a hour and then eating only the tongue….So much for Willy!
vivian bechard // Apr 9, 2008 at 10:39 pm
i think that they are just awesome
George // Apr 11, 2008 at 6:22 am
What do Orca taste like? There seems to be plenty of them.
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