A whale of a fright

BY DELWYN DICKEY

Two snorkellers who scrambled from Army Bay as an orca zeroed in on them were unlikely to be in danger.

That’s the view of orca researcher Dr Ingrid Visser.

While it may have been frightening, she says the orca were probably after stingray to eat.

“There have been no reports internationally of orcas attacking and killing people,” she says.

Stephen Durling and a neighbour were watching from a deck above the bay as a group of the big marine mammals swam, feeding as they went, from Stanmore Bay around to Army Bay. Then they got the fright of their lives as one of the animals headed towards two snorkellers swimming close to rocks.

“We were yelling down at them but they couldn’t hear us,” says Mr Durling. “The snorkellers didn’t see it coming but once they realised it was there – I’ve never seen swimmers move so fast.”

The snorkellers clambered on to rocks and the orca then rolled on its side and circled around before drifting off.

Orca are also known as killer whales – literally killer-of-whales – and are a species of large dolphin, Dr Visser says.

Like other dolphins they live in family groups of six to 12, and are often seen around the coast feeding and playing. Their size and name makes them seem more menacing than smaller dolphins, and they should still be treated with respect, says Dr Visser.

“After all, they are a top predator and do kill and eat fish and sharks. But they are also curious and fun loving.”

“Generally, people misinterpret their behaviour, as 99 percent of people are not used to interacting with large marine animals,” says Dr Visser.

She has a special research permit which allows her to get in the water with orca, but most people are not allowed to swim with orca or whales under marine mammal rules.

Boats should not be moving faster than the slowest animal within 300 metres of them, and may not approach within 50 metres.

“Orca haven’t read the the rule book of course and are curious,” says Dr Visser. “They may come and check out a boat or swimmer.”

Some behaviour can “freak out snorkellers, divers and boaties”.

“They will come and try and see what divers are looking at under rocks, and have been known to tug on snorkellers and divers’ fins. It’s like they’re tapping you on the shoulder,” she says.

Dr Visser recalls when she has been watching orca while diving and felt the hairs go up on her neck. Turning around she found an orca almost on her shoulder, watching her watching them.

People are used to smaller dolphins riding the bow wave, but they are not used to orca following in the wake.

“It seems they like the bubbles, but it can be a scary sight to see them rising suddenly out of the water.”

“They have a culture as do we, which revolves around social structure and food. For us it’s differences in preparing – for them it’s how they catch it. Like us they learn from their peers and family members. Their culture is different around the world. The orca in Argentina feed on seals, here in New Zealand they feed on stingray.”

Fewer than 200 orca are around our coastline. While they may stay for a few days they will also often travel 100km to 150km a day.

- Dr Visser encourages anyone seeing orca to call her on 0800-733-6722 or visit www.orcaresearch.org.

- © Fairfax NZ News