Project Update: July 2009

We have finished the first stage of our project in Karaginsky Gulf (Eastern Koryakia). This area is about 800 km to the north from our usual study area in Avacha Gulf. Some of the orcas we met were new for us but others were our familiar orcas from Avacha Gulf. These encounters will allow us to compare the behaviour of the same animals in two different regions – in Karaginsky Gulf and in Avacha Gulf.

During the encounters we have noted the behaviour of orcas and recorded all hunting events. We took the photographs of the orcas to identify them and estimate their physical condition (normal or thin). Preliminary analysis didn’t show any thin orcas in the photographs from this region but further work is needed to analyse the photographs in more detail. Now we are preparing to depart to Beringa Island (Commander Islands) were the next stage of our project will take place.