Grey whale victim of suspected orca attack, zoologist says

By Sandra McCulloch, Vancouver Sun – April 6, 2010, p. A7

A grey whale that has attracted hundreds of people to an East Sooke beach could have died as a result of an orca attack, a Victoria zoologist suggested Monday.

An autopsy on the whale, known as a necropsy, would have to be done to narrow down the cause of death, said Anna Hall, “but I would think that based on the wounds that I saw it was killer whale predation.”

Friday’s intense windstorm may have been another factor that led to the near-adult male getting beached at East Sooke Park, said Hall.

But the wounds on its belly seem to indicate it was preyed on by an orca.

“It has a couple of wounds that need to be verified by a killer whale expert,” Hall said.

“I do think it was a natural event.”

It’s not clear when or even if government biologists will carry out a necropsy. Calls to Fisheries and Oceans Canada were not returned Monday.

Laura Verhegge, a marine science teacher at Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, saw the whale Sunday.

“Grey whales wash up fairly frequently. They feed by going to beaches and taking a mouthful of mud. They filter the mud out and eat little shrimps.”

Grey whales usually winter in Baja California and migrate north from May to October.

This whale, at 9-10 metres in length, is “pretty close” to full grown, said Verhegge: “That’s almost adult size.”

Verhegge will take her observations back to the classroom. “It’s quite the opportunity to see an animal that is so big.”

Jason Drewery brought his three kids out to see the whale Monday after seeing news reports on its location.

“When you see pictures, you don’t really grasp the size of it.”

Ken Froggatt of Red Deer, Alta., took a side trip to East Sooke while holidaying in Victoria. “It’s pretty impressive,” he said.