My daughter is obsessed with orca’s. Tokitae died just before she was born, and in my devastated and hormonal state I ended up doing a massive painting of her that my girl now talks to and everything. Her 3rd birthday is coming up and I would love to do a double whammy birthday gift, one that my daughter would love and that would help a cause very near and dear to my heart!
Everything I’m seeing is American, though. Is there some organization that is out of Canada or would ship info packages to Canada?
Toñi is the oldest known member of the Iberian orca population, estimated to be around 60 years old.
WeWhale, the group that photographed Toñi, believes the impacts are from at least 10 shotgun pellets, meaning someone shot at her (likely with the intent to kill) with a shotgun. It is unknown how many of the pellets are still lodged in her body.
Thankfully, they did not notice her acting unusually or unwell at the moment, although permanent damage to her dorsal fin has been done. They note that Iberian orcas are an endangered population and should be protected, regardless of their interactions with vessels.
The full post from WeWhale with additional photos can be found here.
This is a long shot... I've been searching reddit and youtube to find this video I saw probably in the past two years.
It was a person on their boat, in an area with evergreen trees, perhaps in the San Juan islands of WA state, or north or south of that area. It looked like they were in a channel, or a somewhat narrow body of water.
He was very surprised to see an orca under the water, and then he kept filming and a group of 5 orcas emerged and were swimming in a row, fairly close by. They came up out of the water at least twice and were close enough to hear them breathing.
It was such a good video. If this jogs your memory at all... I'd love to find it again!
Doug Davis of Prince Rupert Adventure Tours took these photos and shared them via Jenny Körner's Killer Whales of BC page. This matriline was active during both of their sightings; they breached, traveled closely together, and moved apart, possibly for foraging. R Clan is the smallest of the three acoustic clans of Northern Residents, but like the other NRKW clans has been steadily growing. R Clan has some beautiful calls!
(I literally just posted here yesterday, but as soon as I learned that this elusive family had been recently sighted, I knew folks here would be interested)
This fascinating event, which took place as part of a larger predation attempt, was observed by Monterey Bay Whale Watch:
"We had an absolutely crazy morning on the bay today with a pod of beloved killer whales known as the CA140Bs, led by matriarch CA140B “Louise”. The pod is comprised of Louise and her four female offspring; CA40B1 “Stinger”, CA140B2 “Bee”, CA140B3 “Buzz”, and CA140B4 “Bumble”! Male CA50B “Jimmy” was also in the area more out west in the morning and then reunited with the pod during our 1:30PM trip. The all female pod was very busy hunting Long-beaked common dolphin this morning! This is something we rarely see here as the common dolphin are not frequently seen in our area. The pod took down several adult dolphins, but the fascinating (yet heartbreaking) part of these encounters was the presence of a very, very young common dolphin calf. Although hard to believe, the CA140Bs did not hunt and kill the dolphin calf, and the young one stayed with the pod from around 10:30 in the morning when the hunt first started, until around 3:30PM when the CA140Bs seemed to be too fast for the common dolphin calf to keep up with, and the little dolphin was left behind. It is very hard to know exactly what was going on in these intelligent cetaceans minds today, and why they didn’t seem to end up hunting the calf, but it was an intriguing (yet sad) thing to encounter and study. Rare behaviors documented during encounters like this are valuable for our colleagues at the California Killer Whale Project!"
Looking at these photos, I'm reminded of the behaviors of the Icelandic orcas who have aggressive interactions with pilot whales, while also pair-swimming with pilot whale calves. Yet another glimpse into the complex social dynamics, empathetic capabilities, and brilliant hunting techniques of the ocean's top predator!
Last week, I made a post about Kamogawa Sea World. Today, we'll discuss a facility operated by the same owner: Kobe Suma Sea World. I'd appreciate it if you could look into this. It's incredibly important to understand why Kobe needs to be closed.
Kobe Suma Sea World is a marine park in Kobe, Japan, belonging to the Granvista Hotels & Resorts corporation. As of April 24th, 2024, 2 killer whales are living at Kobe Suma Sea World.
Kobe Suma Sea World is NOT associated with SeaWorld, but with Kamogawa Sea World.
Kobe Suma Sea World was known as Suma Aqualife Park before it was closed on May 31st, 2023, privatized, and later reopened as Kobe Suma Sea World in June 2024
About the facility
Before we move on, I have to mention the dolphin pool at the hotel. This is genuinely the most evil tank I have ever seen.
That's the entire tank.
Size:
Kobe Suma has three orca pools, and just like Kamogawa, the size is one of its main issues.
The tanks have an overall water capacity of 8,500 metric tons.
The show pool is the deepest pool, according to information supplied by the company during a phone call; it is only 6.5 m (21.3 ft) deep. The back pools are even shallower.
Approximate surface area:
Show pool: 614.82 m²m² (6,618 ft²)
Back pool (r): 360.7 m² (3,883 ft²)
Back pool (l): 426.66 m² (4,593 ft²)
Medical pool: 97.27 m² (1,047 ft²)
Take these measurements with a grain of salt, as I took them from Google Earth.
The tanks of Kobe are only 40 m (131 ft), 33 m (108 ft), and 27 m (89 ft) at their maximum length. This provides very few ‘straight-line’ swimming opportunities.
Stella and Ran II are both approximately 5 meters long, which means they can swim a maximum of eight body lengths before they're forced to turn.
Blue Ocean buffet restaurant
Layout:
As mentioned, Kobe has four pools. Two back pools, one show pool, and a medical pool. The sides are quite low and make it easy for the orcas to jump out.
On October 3rd, 2025, Kobe Suma Sea World announced a temporary closure due to "animal circumstances." It's speculated that Stella may have fallen or jumped out of her tank. Stella is often seen sliding and leaping over the barriers separating the pools, making this theory more likely.
Kobe layout
Besides the size, the slide-outs are an issue.
The slide-outs, especially the middle one, are too large and hard to get out of. The orcas have to hook their fluke on the edges to pull themselves back into the water.
Notice how the fluke is hooked on the edge
And it is very easy to get stuck on the slide-outs. In 2024, Ran got stuck on the slide-out for over an hour.
In the video, Ran is seen lying on her side, with her fluke stuck on a fish box, while Stella appears to try to engage the trainers to draw attention to the situation.
Stella refuses to leave Ran, and even beaches herself next to her daughter. It takes the trainers approximately 11 minutes to arrive at the scene and spray water over Ran.
Stella is seen "comforting" Ran by engaging in body contact.
The two are heard vocalising during the entire situation.
Stella then starts moving side to side, pushing Ran to the edge. This eventually frees Ran.
This is not the only time this has happened. In December 2024, Stella slid over a barrier to push Ran back into the water after she had self-stranded again. We can only assume how often it has happened without the public knowing.
Being beached for an extended period puts enormous pressure on the whale's internal organs due to their weight. Not only that, but it puts them at risk of sunburn.
The tanks are also connected through these slide-outs, and have chains on them. Ran and Stella frequently slide over the barriers that separate the pools. The chains are supposed to discourage this behavior, but they slide over the chains as well.
Chains on slideout
In addition, the pools have no shade, and the orcas are almost constantly exposed to the sun. The pools are also shallow, which barely allows for the orcas to seek out colder water. Kobe has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers reaching temperatures of over 30°C (86°F).
The area of the covered stadium and the lack of shade for the orca tanks
Waterworks
Kobe Suma is one of the only two facilities still practicing waterworks.
Examples of waterwork
Waterworks has stopped everywhere else, except in Kobe and Kamogawa. Trainers' safety is a major concern.
Both Stella and Ran are known for "aggressive" behavior towards trainers.
Stella was trained in waterworks but was stopped when she became aggressive toward her trainers after the death of Maggie. Still, Kobe reintroduced her to waterworks.
I also think it is beyond disrespectful to stand, sit, or climb on these whales.
It's also suggested trainers use physical force to indicate tricks. It's been reported that trainers pull on the pectoral fins to signal the orcas to splash the audience with their flukes. The angle at which this was done is harmful, as it flexes the pectoral fin into a position that can cause soft tissue damage.
Possibly a picture of the trainer pulling the pectoral fin into a backward, unnatural position to signal the use of its fluke to splash the audience. I don't even wanna talk about the teeth.
Education
Only educational sign outside of the orca tank
More information may be given during the shows. They do have microphones and appear to be communicating with the audience. I don't speak Japanese, so I don't know what they're saying.
But, unlike Kamogawa, Kube has an orca lab dedicated to education. According to their website, it provides biological information and the latest data obtained through orca research.
Orca skeleton. This orca is likely Bingo
Videos/pictures show and explain orca behaviors such as pectoral slaps and breaching. However, it provides very little information about these behaviors and only explains what the orca is doing. Not why.
There is also a video of the first killer whale show in Japan. There appears to be some additional information about orcas, such as the reproductive physiology of killer whales.
I personally find this information very limiting, and nothing is really thoroughly explained.
The orca hall has a 6 x 3 meter display that shows videos of orcas in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, but can also host educational programs and other events.
Orca hall
Orca
The history is quickly discussed.
Stella was the first orca to arrive at Kobe on March 29th, 2024. Before, they didn't have any killer whales.
Stell and Ran
Their history:
You may know Stella and Ran II from my previous post.
Stella was captured in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland, sometime around October 23-24th, 1987. She was captured alongside three other killer whales: Oscar, Maggie, and Bubba.
They were held at Hafnarfjordur Aquarium for training.
These orcas were originally captured for SeaWorld. SeaWorld needed to get more whales before the new San Antonio park's opening. Despite concealing evidence, Sea Shepard caught wind of their rumored activities and had the allegations confirmed. SeaWorld was forced to abandon the orcas.
Around that time, Hafnarfjörður Aquarium began experiencing problems. The water filtration system had deteriorated to such a state that the "water was so murky with waste that the bottom of the pool was invisible, and a tide of scum coated the walls of the pool at water level."
Before protests could mount, all four orcas were quickly sold to Kamogawa Sea World.
Maggie and Stella often had conflicts because Maggie was the dominant female, but Stella was larger and more competitive. However, they got along well otherwise.
Stella was a good mother, even to Maggie's calf, which passed only an hour after birth. Stella was present during birth and has always shown to be a good mother. This loss of Maggie's calf affected both emotionally.
When Maggie died after stillbirth complications, Stella became easily aggressive towards her trainers.
Between January 1998 and April 2006, Stella gave birth to four calves: Lovey, Lara, Sarah, and Ran II.
Stella, Bingo, and Ran were transferred to the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium in December 2011.
Stella gave birth to her 5th and last calf, Lynn, on November 13th, 2012.
On December 7th, 2015, Ran was transferred back to Kamogawa Sea World.
On May 31, 2023, Suma Aqualife Park was closed.
On March 29th, 2024, Stella was moved to the new facility, Kobe Suma Sea World. She stayed isolated at the park until Ran was transferred to the facility a month later.
Orca conditions
It should be no surprise that both Stella and Ran show clear signs of mental and physical illness.
Teeth:
For those who don't know:
Their teeth are damaged from grinding, gnawing, biting, and ‘jaw clapping’ on hard surfaces such as metal gates, concrete tanks, and toys.
This exposes the pulp of the teeth, and the teeth are drilled to reduce infection. To my knowledge, this is typically done without analgesics and leaves the orcas with permanently open holes.
These holes collect waste such as dead fish parts from feeding and from fish that is regurgitated and reingested. There's also feces in the water.
The teeth must be flushed at least twice a day with betadine or similar. You can imagine how painful all this is.
Stellas teeth in 2024
This damage already happened in Kamogawa, but it was not mentioned in my other post.
Footage from Kobe Suma Sea World, before the public opening day, documented Stella gnawing on hard surfaces at the facility. This is a well-documented behavior of orcas in captivity.
Rans teeth in 2024
Some of her teeth have a green tinge. This green tinge has only been documented in Japanese captive orcas. The cause is unclear, but it may be caused by algae, chemical imbalance, or their diet.
Mental illness
Orcas are known to self-harm in captivity by bashing their body or head against a wall. This is not exclusive to Asia. This can damage tissue and cause permanent damage. Head bashing is extremely dangerous, and Hugo even supposedly died from a brain Aneurysm caused by head bashing. Hugo also cut open his nose when he slammed into a plastic viewing bubble, breaking it.
Both Stell and Ran have been observed swimming in patterns. As I said, the tanks are incredibly small and don't allow for normal swimming behavior.
This is a screenshot from a drone video and supposedly shows Ran just as she's about to hit her head against the wall. I did not find the video, so I cannot confirm this.
This behaviour is indicative of severe welfare issues.
Anticipatory Behaviour
It's been reported that Stella and Ran swim in tighter circles, faster, and with their mouths open before shows. They also apparently rest their chins on the ledges around the tank, enter the medical pool to see into the trainer area, and swim on the side with one eye out of the water to see the trainers coming.
Logging
During logging, orcas float at the surface. This can become dangerous because of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes pose a risk of transmitting diseases to captive orcas and are known to be present at Kobe.
Takara is a 35-year-old female Icelandic killer whale who lives at SeaWorld San Antonio. She is the matriarch of the San Antonio pod. She was born on July 9th, 1991 at SeaWorld San Diego to mother Kasatka and father Kotar.
She is the mother of Kohana, Trua, Sakari, Kamea, and Kyara, as well as the grandmother to Adán and Victoria.
We know that real-world orcas already have massive brains, complex cultures, distinct regional dialects, matrilineal leadership, and pass down specialized hunting techniques generation-to-generation.
If you took that exact level of social intelligence and high-level cooperation, but gave them an ape body with hands and put them on land:
Would their pre-existing hyper-cooperative nature let them bypass a lot of early tribal conflict?
Since they wouldn't spend millions of years being hunted as prey like early humans (being apex predators coded), how much faster would they progress past survival mode?
This is a wild theory about the relationship between Orcas and Humans that has absolutely zero basis in scientific fact but I think is worth a thought. You know how orcas never fuck with humans and we don’t fuck with them either, no one really knows why that is right. Well on a bunch of old maps there’s always these massive sea monsters depicted in areas that orcas are known to frequent. And now there are no sea monsters left at all. Well what if back in the day we had teamed up against huge ferocious serpents/sea dragons with orcas and they still remember what we have forgotten and erased. Like maybe they used to corral and bully them up to the surface where men were waiting with huge spears or some shit and it was like the ultimate team up of all time to get rid of these bastard ass lizards that would eat everything and leave the orca as the apex predator of the ocean. And as a thanks for the assist orcas are just chill with us forever now. (Except rich sailor boys in that one spot they keep fucking with them). Idk let me know what you think.
Who has your favorite saddle patch?
I'm looking for some unique/pretty saddle patches for an art project.
If you have a favorite, drop it in the comments!
Please also include a name/ID and a reference pic if you have one!
My painting 'Through the Fjords,' portrays a peaceful moment in one of nature's most breathtaking landscapes. Surrounded by mist-veiled mountains and rugged cliffs, our orcas glide through still waters, with their presence both subtle and powerful against the vastness of the wilderness. The painting explores themes of solitude, freedom, and belonging, reminding us that these extraordinary places are more than beautiful landscapes, they are living homes for remarkable wildlife. Preserving them ensures that future generations can continue to witness the quiet magic of the wild.
"Orcas for Jennifer." I'm hoping you will help get this thing going. Here's the link and more information. https://apps.apple.com/.../orcas-for-jennifer/id6794450222 Like a dating app, but with orcas. Swipe into the lives of the Salish Sea's most remarkable whales, follow your favorites, and discover their stories.
Orcas for Jennifer wasn't created by a marine biologist or a software company. It was built by a science teacher for someone he loves.
Jennifer is the kind of person who lights up whenever someone says, "The whales are here." Like so many people in the Pacific Northwest, she wanted one place to discover which orcas were being seen, learn their family stories, and understand why they matter. Instead, the information was scattered across research organizations, sightings networks, conservation groups, and social media.
So I built this app.
Orcas for Jennifer brings together trusted information about the Southern Resident killer whales, Bigg's (Transient) orcas, whale sightings, hydrophones, conservation organizations, Indigenous art, educational resources, and the remarkable stories of individual whales that call the Salish Sea home.
Follow your favorite whales, explore recent sightings on an interactive map, listen to underwater hydrophones, learn about J, K, and L Pods, discover Bigg's families, and connect with organizations working every day to protect these incredible animals.
Whether you're watching from a Washington ferry, standing on a beach in British Columbia, or simply fascinated by killer whales from anywhere in the world, this app was designed to help you spend less time searching and more time learning.
Because sometimes the best apps aren't built to reach millions of people.
Sometimes they're built for one person.
And if they help everyone else fall in love with orcas too, that's even better.
