Orcas

A two hour drive east of Albany is the small town of Bremer Bay, population 211. During the months of January – April, it becomes the the home of Whale Watch Western Australia, who operate daily boat tours in search of Orcas. The tours are run by a crew, the key members of whom are members of the family owners of the business, who are passionate about the orcas and are closely involved with scientists in orca data gathering and research. As they spend so much time with the orcas they can recognise pods and members of the pods from their size and markings and are therefore able to name them- every name has a story.

An area of the ocean approximately 20km from Bremer Bay is rich in the nutrients on which giant squid feed. The squid can exceed 10m in length and attract orcas and whales which feed upon them. The orcas will also kill and feed on beaked whales.

We followed a pod of orcas hunting for beaked whales over several hours. On this occasion, the whales escaped despite an amazing display of teamwork led by the main female, named Sheryl. On the way back we saw a second pod with evidence of two squid kills. This pod is led by Queen, named because she is the cleverest and best hunter.