Bigg’s Killer Whales – Joan Lopez

The media has been abuzz with news and concerns for the Southern Resident Killer Whales, a Chinoook salmon eating population, but little is mentioned about the mammal hunting killer whales, called Transients or Bigg’s killer whales, unless they show up in an unexpected location, like False Creek! In recent years, encounters with  Transient killer whales have been increasing in the Salish Sea. This talk will focus on the unique characteristics of the Bigg’s killer whales, how they differ from Resident killer whales, as well as stories from the field.

Joan Lopez has been employed by a local whale watching company since 2003 and has seen first-hand a sea-change in the populations of local marine mammals.