If you see killer whales around Gabriola, marine biologists want to hear from you. From the Daily News: Biologists urge public to report any whale sightings using hotline.

Dr. John Ford, who studies killer whale populations around Vancouver Island, said there has been unusually large pods of meat-eating transient orcas spotted close to Nanaimo in the last few weeks. (…)

But Ford said the reported gathering of large pods of up to 30 whales in the area at this time of year is not a common occurrence and he and other scientists can only speculate at this time on the reasons.

Ford said that’s why he encourages the public to watch the waters off of Nanaimo closely and report any sightings to the local killer whale hotline at 250-756-7253 so scientists can have the opportunity to take to their boats at the PBS to study them. (…)

Sounds like an awfully fun job, eh? Racing off to study whales would suit me fine.

Just two weeks ago, a pod of approximately 15 transient killer whales passed by Nanaimo heading north after hunting and feasting on a sea lion in the Northumberland Channel, between Duke Point and Gabriola Island. [continue]

Did any of you happen to see those whales?

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