N.S. sanctuary could be a new home for whales in captivity. But some aren’t convinced

N.S. sanctuary could be a new home for whales in captivity. But some aren’t convinced

The Current19:01Could Nova Scotia host a retirement home for whales? A proposed whale sanctuary in Port Hilford, N.S., hopes to offer a safe haven for whales coming out of captivity. And two orcas from a marine park in France could be its first residents.  “We owe it to them. We owe them something back because … Read more

Huge Whale Capsizes Fishing Boat Off East Coast Of U.S.

Huge Whale Capsizes Fishing Boat Off East Coast Of U.S.

A large whale smashed a fishing boat Tuesday morning just off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, sending two people into the drink. It is just the latest volley in the war between marine mammals and human boats. ‘Twister’ Remains The Greatest Car Commercial Of All Time Two teen brothers out for an early morning … Read more

‘A great day’: Young North Atlantic right whale freed from fishing gear by crews in St. Lawrence

‘A great day’: Young North Atlantic right whale freed from fishing gear by crews in St. Lawrence

A team of whale rescuers were hollering, screaming and high-fiving Wednesday afternoon when they freed a young whale caught in fishing gear in the St. Lawrence Estuary. The whale, believed to be one of the calves of a 35-year-old female named War (ID number 1812) was first observed on June 22 off of New Brunswick, … Read more

Killer whales are ramming boats for fun, scientists say. A new report offers ways to protect mariners

Killer whales are ramming boats for fun, scientists say. A new report offers ways to protect mariners

Quirks and Quarks11:40Killer whales are likely ramming boats because they’re bored and having fun When Renaud de Stephanis sees killer whales surround his boat off the coast of Spain, he isn’t afraid — he’s excited because it’s a chance to get some research done. When asked how often his boats have been hit by the … Read more

What are whales saying to each other? Scientists are a step closer to finding out

What are whales saying to each other? Scientists are a step closer to finding out

The Current16:06Decoding the sperm whale’s alphabet Scientists have examined thousands of hours of sperm whale calls — bursts of clicks known as codas — and discovered a kind of phonetic alphabet that the animals use to communicate. “What we’ve done here is really sort of expand … the library of potential codas that these animals … Read more

Chief says rescue effort for stranded orca calf four, five days away as plans ramp up

Chief says rescue effort for stranded orca calf four, five days away as plans ramp up

Plans are settling into place for an attempt to rescue a young killer whale calf stranded in a tidal lagoon near the Vancouver Island village of Zeballos within four or five days, says the area’s First Nation chief. Ehattesaht Chief Simon John has previously said the plan to remove the female orca calf from the … Read more

Helicopter to airlift stranded orca out of B.C. lagoon

Chief says rescue effort for stranded orca calf four, five days away as plans ramp up

Plans are now underway to airlift a stranded killer whale calf out of a remote tidal lagoon off northern Vancouver Island in an effort to reunite the young orca with its extended family. Fisheries Department and First Nations officials say the plans involve placing the two-year-old calf into a sling, lifting it out of the … Read more

Beached orca in B.C. dies despite life-saving efforts

Beached orca in B.C. dies despite life-saving efforts

A female killer whale that beached on northern Vancouver Island died on Saturday despite efforts by the community to push the mammal back into the water. Video of the incident, which occurred near the village of Zeballos on the island’s northwest coast, shows dozens of people trying to save the stranded orca. The female orca was stranded on shore … Read more

These are the 1st images of humpbacks having sex, and they’re both males

These are the 1st images of humpbacks having sex, and they’re both males

As It Happens6:291st images humpback whale sex is between 2 males When biologist Stephanie Stack first saw the photographs of two humpback whales mating in the warm waters of Hawaii, she says her mind was “completely blown.” “When I realized that it was two males, it was not what I was expecting,” she told As … Read more

Hypothermic turtle rescued in B.C. waters in first sighting since 2015

Hypothermic turtle rescued in B.C. waters in first sighting since 2015

When B.C. marine scientist Anna Hall encountered a very lost loggerhead turtle in waters near Victoria over the weekend, she knew it faced a grim fate at sea. “The turtle would not have survived,” said Hall, principal scientist at consulting group Sea View Marine Sciences. “Had the turtle stayed in the ocean, either it would have … Read more