Eavesdropping on Orcas

Press play to eavesdrop on a killer whale group chat and experience a moment few people ever get to hear.

During a recent encounter near Hornby Island, our team recorded an extraordinary collection of calls and social sounds from a group of Bigg’s killer whales. Take a moment to listen to the sounds of whales connecting, communicating, and sharing a meal together. Bigg’s killer whales are often quiet while hunting, helping them avoid alerting their prey. But on this day, the mood seemed to shift. As family groups gathered around a successful hunt, the hydrophone filled with an extraordinary chorus of sounds, offering a rare glimpse into the social lives of these remarkable animals.

This type of data helps researchers better understand whale behaviour and identify the habitats these animals rely on throughout the year. Combined with photo-identification, environmental DNA sampling, and field observations, they are just one piece of the puzzle helping to protect whales in B.C. waters.

If moments like this inspire you, please consider making a donation or symbolically adopting Tahlequah (J35), one of the most well-known Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. Your support can help fund whale research, monitoring, and conservation efforts that deepen our understanding of these animals and help protect their future.