New Bremer Orca calf identified today as we excitedly watched the youngest member of the family pod surface alongside mum happily. She wasn’t the only adorable sighting today as a tiny Fairy Penguin (Eudyptula minor) surfaced alongside us in the big blue of the Southern Ocean. It was a wonderful day of wildlife as we enjoyed the company of so many magnificent creatures.
- Orca (three family pods)
- Sperm Whales
- Fairy Penguin
- Wandering, Indian Yellow-nosed and Black Browed Albatross
- Flesh Footed Shearwaters, White Faced Storm Petrels, Australasian Gannets, Crested Terns and Sooty Oyster Catchers
- Bottlenose Dolphins
- Australian Sea Lions
Plenty of foraging amongst all the species today as the hunt was on for food and it was encouraging to see many of the species sighted securing a meal. Slightly trickier day for the Orca with what appeared to be only a small squid captured, but a small meal is better than no meal. The health of this ecosystem is very special and provides a reliable food source for so many species as they gather in numbers to feast. The result of a powerful ecosystem and plenty of good food often results in babies! Today it was so exciting to observe yet another new calf for this wonderful population of Orca who call the waters off Bremer Bay home.
Easter is a very important and special time of the year, probably the most special for some, and we have decided to name this precious new calf Bethany (WWWA05), after the town that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was resurrected.
Faith is a wonderful asset for those who believe, just like our Orca whom have faith in each other and are dependent upon each other to survive and thrive in the Southern Ocean. We hope that Bethany has many years to come growing and learning the way of the Orcas here in the Bremer Sub-Basin.
Happy Easter Everyone.
