Highlights from the 2020 Bremer Bay Killer Whale Season
Six Unforgettable Seasons with the Bremer Bay Killer Whales
We wind up our amazing year with this article on the highlights from the Bremer Bay expeditions.Our sixth season exploring the Bremer Bay killer whale hotspot has been nothing short of extraordinary! 🌊 Each year, we venture further, witness rarer encounters, and continue to be amazed by the incredible biodiversity of this unique region.
Bremer Highlights and Fascinating Orca
Every season teaches us more about these fascinating orcas, helping our team gain valuable knowledge to ensure their safety and protection. 🐋 None of this would be possible without your support and participation in our tours, which also help fund essential research to preserve this stunning ecosystem. 💙
Six years of expeditions have only begun to reveal the wonders of one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots. Each season surpasses the last, offering even more unique insights into the lives of these complex and intelligent creatures, so read on and enjoy what was our year of Bremer Canyon Highlights.
🌟 Three Newborn Calves Thriving in the Ocean
The arrival of three newborn orca calves, including little Neo, was a heartwarming highlight! Watching the pods protect and nurture their young in the roaring Southern Ocean was unforgettable. Fun fact: Baby orcas launch their bodies out of the water when they breathe because they’re still learning to use their blowholes properly!
🌟 Nibbles and Digby’s Adventures
Our favourite male, Nibbles, and his young protégé, Digby, provided endless entertainment. Their bond grew stronger, and their playful surface displays were a crowd favourite.
🌟 Split-tip’s Hunting Masterclass
Split-tip, affectionately known as “The Huntress,” dazzled us with her maternal care and expert hunting skills. She was a key player in nearly every predation event this season, teaching the next generation of apex predators.
🌟 Epic Pursuits with the Orcas
Twice this season, we joined the orcas on 10-mile pursuits! With 30+ orcas on either side of our vessel, it felt like we were part of the hunt. These thrilling moments included interactions with long-finned pilot whales, raising intriguing questions about their relationship with orcas.
🌟 Sharks and Rare Marine Life
The season featured encounters with hammerheads, oceanic blue sharks, bronze whalers, and rare seabirds like wandering albatrosses, great shearwaters, and polar skuas. The diversity of marine life in the Bremer Canyon is simply astounding!
🌟 Live Deep-Sea Exploration
The RV Falkor gave us a rare glimpse into the depths of the Bremer Canyon (1,000–4,000m) through live research streams. These expeditions uncovered even more about this mysterious underwater world.
🌟 Predations and Juvenile Training
From a massive Cuvier’s beaked whale hunt involving over 70 orcas to juvenile training drills, the season was packed with incredible predatory behaviour.
🌟 Orca Nurseries and Playful Calves
As the orcas grow more accustomed to our presence, they often bring their calves to play near our vessel. Watching the youngsters roll and swim under our bow is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many.
🌟 Marine Life Chasing Our Wake
There’s no better way to end a day than with killer whales, dolphins, or false killer whales surfing our vessel’s wake. These moments are truly the cherry on top of an unforgettable day!
🌟 Inspiring Marine Interns
Training passionate marine interns and watching them experience the Southern Ocean and its wildlife for the first time is always rewarding for our team.
🌟 Unforgettable Bremer Highlights
Finally, we’re so grateful to all the amazing customers who joined us this season. Seeing you tick off bucket-list experiences and create lasting memories is the best part of our job.
As we look ahead to 2021, we’re excited to continue exploring, learning, and sharing the magic of Bremer Bay’s killer whales. 🐾 Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!
Visit with us on a Bremer Bay Killer Whale Expedition.
