The origins of marine mammals Although all marine mammals evolved from land mammals, it may surprise some that each group of marine mammals has its own unique ancestry. There are three groups of marine mammals: the cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), the pinnipeds (fur seals, sea lions, walruses and seals) and the sirenians (dugongs and […] Continue Reading...

Over the last three months, ORCA has continued to grow and improve with the enthusiasm and commitment of our team. Since our last newsletter, our team has welcomed a new member, Cameron Reeder. His young, vibey energy is a welcome addition to the team. We have also since seen the launch of our humpback dolphin project […] Continue Reading...

A NEW CHAPTER The start of 2018 brought a brand new team to the ORCA Foundation Volunteer Program. With 3 new staff members (two experienced marine biologists and a conservationist) the program now hosts a wide range of marine related research, conservation and education activities. January was just crazy! The new team had to move […] Continue Reading...

Southern right whale pigmentation patterns Southern right whales are usually mostly black in colour and were often referred to as “black whales” by open-boat whalers. Most individuals also have a white blaze on their bellies, which can vary in size from a small spot to a large irregularly-shaped marking that may extend up the side […] Continue Reading...