Killer whale sighting in tropics

[lock_washer]

Just checking back again. Has anyone hear of any killer whale or orca sightings in the tropics lately?

Thanks,

lock_washer

 

[Doc]

Just checking back again. Has anyone hear of any killer whale or orca sightings in the tropics lately? lock_washer

Don't know of which time period (lately) you are asking, I know of none this last six months, but this critter is not unknown. Even eliminating the so-called "Fasle Killer Whales" (Pseudorca crassidens) http://www.tmmsn.org/mmgulf/pseudorca.html, Killer Whales have been seen in the Western Caribbean, last time was January 05 that I know of.

 

[lock_washer]

I have heard of the occasional sighings in the gulf of mexico. I have also heard that at certain time of the year they have been showing up off Roatan in Honduras, and Paupa New Guinea in the South Pacific too.

lock_washer

 

[lock_washer]

Interesting note...In the Phillipines up at Subic Bay:There's an oceanarium called "Ocean Adventure Park". They have dolphins, false killer whales, seals on display there. You can even do a "dive with their false killer whales" experience there...about 75 bucks US. That's why I am trying to plan a dive trip there.

lock_washer

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi

Yes as Roatanman says normally a small pod is seen most years in Jan or Feb coming past Roatan and Utila

 

[voodoodiver]

I was at AKR on Roatan last. and several of the dive boats saw a large pod. Those how saw them said it was the pretty sight they had ever seen.


Russ

 

[lock_washer]

Has anyone ever done any studies of orcas that pass through Roatan? Like photos of dorsal fins for ID purposes. Has anyone ever determined if they are resident or transients orcas?

 

[Batfish]

I saw a small pod, maybe 6 or 7 in Thailand close to the Surin Islands, this was back in 2000 or 2001, I'd have to check my log book. Was quite a surprise to everyone!

 

[webedivin2005]

This may be alittle off the beaten path but I have photos of the Orcas of Roatan. I was the resident phot Pro for AKR in the late 80's and had the opportunity to photograph them. I had to free dive to about 80 feet to get close to photograph but what an experience.

 

[lock_washer]

Any idea about the lengths of the orcas...particullary the males off Roatan? I know that the pacific northwest orcas are the largest of the orcas species. The ones off of Iceland tend to be smaller. Also according to Norbert Nu's South Pole documentary...the orcas there are smaller and have a yellowish color more than white.

I am wondering if the orcas seen off Honduras are also the same ones off Argentina that surf into the shoreline and grab seals off the beaches...