Update on Matriarch Queen’s Condition (aka Split Tip)
The New Year always brings us excitement as we anticipate the return of our friends, the Bremer Bay Orcas, for another season. However, this year has highlighted the fragility and, at times, desperate survival tactics necessary for living as an Apex Predator in the vast marine landscape.
Initial Observations
During our first encounter with Queen in early January, we observed fresh injury markings. Many speculated that these might be ‘prop strike’ marks, although it seemed unlikely. We have spent countless hours with the Orcas, and while they do occasionally frolic and chase vessels, open propellers can cause injuries. However, given the size of the propellers in Queen’s hunting grounds, they would likely come from much larger vessels, and even the slightest contact could be catastrophic, as indicated by the length of the indentations on her back.
Our vessel, the Steep Point, is designed with its propellers above the hull to prevent any propeller strikes on the cetaceans we study.
The Prop Strike Question
This ‘prop strike’ theory raises questions about where this incident might have occurred. If it happened during the winter months or before Christmas, it suggests Queen was near smaller recreational vessels. Whether this was due to reckless actions or an accident, the possibility of contact with our beloved Queen is concerning.
Additionally, we wonder if Queen’s pod is moving from the canyons to shallower waters in search of Humpback or Southern Right calves.
Expert Discussions
Our dedicated team of experts debated and theorised about the ‘prop strike’ theory but struggled to find a fitting explanation.
Jade Sharp, our leading photographer and owner of Whale Watch Western Australia, took on the challenge of solving this mystery. She was skeptical of the ‘prop strike’ explanation and diligently sought evidence.
Research in this field can take months or even years to yield conclusions, but fortunately, clues began to align. Just yesterday, Jade captured the photograph that conclusively answered how Queen’s injury occurred.
Findings
The situation traces back many months. John Totterdell, an Orca expert who has studied these creatures for decades, along with many cetacean scientists and operators in the Southern Hemisphere, noted a dramatic decline in Humpback populations along the coast. This reduction has resulted in Orcas in the northern part of the state having significantly fewer opportunities to hunt calves. While the northern Humpback migration was normal, the southern migration dropped by 20%, with some areas reporting declines of up to 50%, which is alarming. This may indicate a shift in migration patterns or a reduction in the number of migrating whales, leading to a lean year for our Orca populations.
As we entered a La Niña weather pattern, the Bremer Basin experienced reduced sunlight, contributing to a lean winter feeding season. Some animals showed signs of malnourishment, including Geo, a healthy young male who initially displayed ‘peanut head’ symptoms, indicating sickness or injury. Thankfully, he has started to regain weight as food has become more available and remains under observation.
Conclusion on Queen’s Injuries
Now, returning to Queen, we may have found the reason behind her injuries. Jade managed to capture clear photographic evidence showing that the injuries are indeed the result of Orca attack rake marks. The positioning of the attack suggests that the Orcas involved were attempting to kill Queen. When Orcas hunt larger cetaceans, they typically target the peduncle muscle area to sever the spinal cord. Jade’s photos reveal bite marks on both sides of her flanks and a noticeable change in her ‘crown’ (the split dorsal tip from which her name is derived), indicating a significant struggle took place.
We are left to ponder whether this attack stemmed from territorial behaviors: had Queen’s pod ventured into new areas in search of food and encountered an attack? Or had other Orcas strayed into her territory?
Regardless, this incident reflects a troubling phenomenon we have rarely observed in a decade of studying Bremer Orca. While the young males may occasionally return with injuries some more serious than others, the matriarch has remained unscathed. Is this an attack on the entire pod, and if so, why?
Time will tell. As we often note, research can take years, even decades, and still leave us with lingering questions. This is what we cherish about Whale Watch – every day is different, and these remarkable creatures invite us into their world. As my dad, a longtime pearl diver, used to tell us as little girls, “Underwater, it’s all about moment-to-moment survival.” Queen has certainly survived, and we are incredibly grateful to see her healing, albeit with some battle scars.
