Baleines Spm Frag'iles

The first mention of a Killer Whale observation dates back  from 1986, off Cape Miquelon. It is now observed several times each year aournd the islands more evenly in the spring. It seems to frequent the waters of Newfoundland year round.

 The species is found in all oceans of both hemispheres, from the equator to the ice edge. The world population stands at perhaps 50,000 individuals. Killer whales are super-predators, placed on top of the food chain. They consume a wide variety of prey: marine mammals (seals, sea lions and cetaceans), turtles, seabirds, fish (salmon, herring, etc. ...) and squids. Bite marks on the dorsal or caudal fins of humpback whales (pictures), bits of Minke whale flesh floating on the surface is evidence of frequent attacks on cetaceans in our region.

It is a gregarious species, living in family groups of up to 20 individuals. This is usually a female who leads the group in which there is a great cohesion. They are powerful swimmers, they can reach speeds of 50 km/h. They jump out of the water in spectacular somersaults and hit the water with their tails. It is a social animal, which emits a variety of whistles, crackles, which are used to increase group cohesion.

In a population of killer whales, each individual can be identified through photo identification. We always take photos on the left side of the animal. The study of these photographs can reveal some characteristics: the shape of the dorsal fin, the gray area at the rear of the dorsal fin (the saddle), spots or marks distinguish each individual. 

See the pictures