11 killer whales trapped in ice: Canadian villagers hope for rescue
Photo courtesy of Clement Rousseau
Eleven orcas, including one that appears to be nursing, are trapped in the ice in Quebec, Canada.
By Miranda Leitsinger, NBC News
Eleven killer whales are “locked in” by ice in a Canadian bay, with only a small area of open water for them to surface, the mayor of a nearby village said as he appealed for help to save the marine mammals.
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A hunter found the killer whales, also known as orcas, on Wednesday morning in Hudson Bay, in northeastern Canada. Two of the orcas appear to be adults; the remaining nine are smaller in size, said Petah Inukpuk, mayor of Inukjuak, an Inuit village home to 1,800, in Quebec. Other reports said there were 12 orcas in the pod.
A video taken by villager Clement Rousseau showed the opening to be just large enough for one or two of the orcas to surface at a time. A team from Canada’s fisheries department is expected to arrive at the ice hole on Thursday, according to Canada’s CBC.ca.
“They are in a confined area,” Inukpuk told NBC News on Wednesday, noting that “there is no more open water.”
“From time to time, they are in a panic state and other times they are gone for a long period of time, probably looking for another open water (space) which they are unable to find,” Inukpuk said. “They keep going back to the same spot.”
Killer whales are highly social and typically travel in groups from two to 15, though there can be larger groups, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. They are most numerous in colder waters, such as Antarctica, Alaska and Norway, although they can also be found in temperate and tropical waters.
Inukpuk said killer whales were not spotted in the area every summer, but every second or third one. But this is “the first time that they are locked in,” he said.
The winter was unusual this year in that the bay did not freeze up as it normally does at the end of November or beginning of December, the mayor said.
There was open water after Christmas but “about three days ago it got really cold and there is no more open water presently,” he said.
Deborah Giles, a graduate student researcher at the University of California, Davis, who has studied killer whales for eight years, said the main issue facing the orcas would be if the air hole remained open.
“It is absolutely tragic to think about this, you know, if that does close up,” she said. “That’s really what their biggest problem is right now.”
Among the ideas discussed to save the animals was using an icebreaker, she said, although Inukpuk said such equipment was in Antarctica at this time of year. A Canadian fisheries official told CBC.ca that some icebreakers were being used in the Saint Lawrence River, where three commercial ships got stuck this week.
Geoff Carroll, a wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game who helped release two California gray whales in a similar situation that made international headlines in 1988, said his experience in the effort known as “Operation Breakthrough” also showed the power of other methods.
“Our experience up here was that it seemed like the local knowledge and the low-tech approaches to working with the whales were the ones that worked best,” Carroll said. “It seemed like there were lots of high-tech efforts made to get those whales out and they kind of failed one after the other. What really worked was when we got local guys with chainsaws cutting one hole after another and we could kind of walk the whales out that way.”
Operation Breakthrough, which was chronicled in a 2012 movie “Big Miracle,” was a success because Eskimo whalers cut more than a half mile of holes for the whales to travel through on their way to open sea in Alaska. Two Soviet icebreakers helped by crushing a critical thick wall of ice that blocked their path, according to a story on the rescue by the Los Angeles Times. Oil workers and environmentalists also assisted in the rescue effort.
The two gray whales were released after 20 days, although a third, smaller whale drowned near one of the air holes. There have been reports of other whales getting stuck beneath the ice, Giles said, but she said it was an anomaly for killer whales – technically in the oceanic dolphin family – which tend to hunt around the ice.
However, one pod of orcas died in 2005 in the Japanese Arctic after an ice hole closed, according to CBC.ca. There have been some other cases, too, said Paul Wade, a research fisheries biologist at NOAA’s National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle.
Video courtesy of Clement Rousseau
Giles said food would likely not yet be a problem because the larger orcas should be able to survive on their fat stores for several weeks. But survival is less certain for the smaller mammals, including one that appeared to be nursing. She noted that the animals may not be in distress, as the adult males could be seen engaging in the normal behavior of “spyhopping” — or shooting straight out of the water.
“It’s possible that they are doing that not necessarily to get a bigger breath as somebody had indicated but rather to look around,” Giles said, adding that killer whales can see equally well above water as below.
“It’s also possible that they coming up as often as there is (is) a way to keep that ice open,” she said. “They certainly, I would say, are smart enough to recognize that this is their breathing hole and they … don’t want to have that close up.”
Wade, the fisheries biologist, said he watched videos of the killer whales and thought some were engaging in normal behavior while other appeared agitated. He said it looks like the pod includes two adult males, several juveniles and female adults or younger adult males.
“There are cases where whales have been able to keep holes open just by the continually coming up every minute or so,” he said. “It seemed like they could probably keep that open although it’s not something killer whales do a lot of.”
Wade also questioned how they got caught in the area.
“Why these whales hung around so long is a mystery,” he said. “Even the types of whales that live in the ice a lot or much closer to the ice more frequently than killer whales — they make mistakes as well.”
Mayor Inukpuk said they would like to create an opening for the animals to move out. He said he would be on a conference call Thursday with other parties to discuss the possibilities. Canada’s fisheries department said in an email that it was working closely with its partners and other experts to assess the situation.
Although the killer whales compete with human hunters for seal meat in an area where there are no supermarkets or grocery stores, Inukpuk said the villagers’ main concern was the orcas’ survival. Many residents have visited the area, which is 20 miles from the village and one mile from the coastline.
“They have a right to survive and hopefully someone will help us to get that (to) happen,” he said. “The weather today is not so cold, so they (the killer whales) may keep the open area as it is by their movements. …
Aboriginal leaders and their supporters joined together last month for a country -wide demonstration protesting native rights abuse by the federal government.
Dene elder Caroline Bjorklund at the Idle no more rally in Churchill. Katie DeMeulles photo.
The Idle No More movement has gained momentum in First Nations across Canada. In part, it’s a response to the federal government’s omnibus budget Bill C-45, which, among other things, removes environmental protections of numerous waterways and makes it easier to sell reserve lands to private corporations.
The movement also supports and has gained momentum from Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence ,who has been on a hunger strike for 25 days now , to force a meeting with Prime minister Stephen Harper over housing, education and other issues in Attawapiskat.
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence on hunger strike in her tipi. Source ABC news.
We need to continue to encourage and stand in solidarity as Indigenous Nations,” Spence said in a statement Wednesday. “We are at a historical moment in time, and I ask that grassroots, chiefs and all community members come together in one voice.”
Protesters in Churchill town square support Idle No More cause. Katie Demeulles photo.
Spence launched her hunger strike on Dec. 11, days after the House of Commons passed the Conservative government’s omnibus budget legislation, Bill C-45, which organizers with Idle No More say violate treaty rights and weaken environmental laws.
Protests have been held in many Canadian communities, including Churchill, and outside the country since the movement began late last year, as a campaign by four women from Saskatchewan to oppose a number of bills before Parliament, including the omnibus budget legislation.
Idle No More has gained increased momentum, particularly with a new generation of young, social-media-savvy activists. Thousands have used the #idlenomore hashtag on Twitter to debate issues and spread information about upcoming protests.
Despite incentives from the government for farmers to ship grain through the Port of Churchill following the break-up of the Canadian Wheat Board, overall shipment tonnage dropped. However. Agricultural minister Gerry Ritz remains optimistic for the future of the deep-water Arctic shipping port.
Approximately 434,434 tonnes of grain were shipped from Churchill this year, about 15 per cent less than last year and the lowest amount since 2008. However, the 10 -year historical average is only slightly higher at roughly 450,000 tonnes. Diversification of the port’s shipping capabilities is reason for widespread optimism for future years.
One year ago the Canadian Wheat Board was officially dissolved ending the monopoly on prairie wheat wheat and barley shipments through Churchill. Previously the Wheat Board accounted for 90% of the shipments through Churchill.
Grain vessel awaits docking at the Port of Churchill. Photo Steve Selden
In a previous blog posting, I reported a $25 -million, five year transition program offering incentives for shipping grain through Churchill. These incentives, despite the lower shipping totals, have allowed the port to diversify and ship canola and barley as well as the usual wheat and durum products
“With the help of this transition funding, Churchill is well-positioned to continue to diversify and maintain the historical average in the future,” Ritz said in a release.
Future of the Port of Churchill is a bit foggy. Photo Steve Selden
In July, Churchill Gateway Development Corporation executive director Jeff McEachern said the corporation is also looking at adding new commodities such as potash and crude oil to the mix. With decreasing Arctic ice and more ice-free days to the shipping season, the possibilities for shipping out of Churchill are growing. Churchill’s opportunistic reputation should surely be able to take advantage of any openings for port growth.
The Churchill region has embraced winter in full force these past few weeks with a couple of storms and frigid temperatures in the negative numbers celsius. Wind chill factors have made it feel even more rough on the skin and with the extended forecast showing no relief it looks as if the town and area will be frozen under until Spring. The ice pack in the Hudson Bay to the north is thick and polar bears are enjoying the time out hunting seals. With all the research out showing the decline in Arctic ice, it’s nice to know the winter season allows us to catch our breaths and focus on solutions for stemming the tide of contributing factors.
Here are some more images from this past fall season to remember the amazing polar bear behavior we witnessed here in the north country. This winter I will be updating local stories and keeping all in tune with what’s happening in the Arctic as well as posting some edited video clips from the tundra lodge. keep an eye out for some exciting changes in the look of the website as well as we transition to a cleaner more fresh look.
A polar bear relaxes and cools in the snow. Colby Brokvist photo.
Two polar bears near the coast in November. Karen Walker photo.
Aurora from the tundra lodge. Brad Josephs photo.
Snowy owl on the tundra in the CWMA. Colby Brokvist photo.
Sparring polar bears in the CWMA. Rick Pepin photo.
Another successful season in Churchill is in the history books with travelers safely back home from their amazing adventures and polar bears out on the solid Hudson Bay pack ice hunting seals. Another early freeze-up ended with enough bears to thrill even the last group of avid photographers on a Natural Habitat photography trip. A second wave of bears and a good south wind to keep the ice off shore enabled the season to continue right to the end. Here are some amazing photos from the season….more will be posted through the new year. Also keep an eye out for our new format to the website coming soon. Enjoy!
Peter thrills the group with his drum dance. Colby Brokvist photo.
Polar bear romping in the snow near Churchill. Eric Rock photo
Polar bear up close in November. Colby Brokvist photo.
A red fox climbs on the precambrian sheild near Churchill. Rick Pepin photo.
As November comes toward the end, the last couple of Natural Habitat groups headed back to Winnipeg after their adventures in Churchill. With this years mid-November scare of an early Hudson Bay freeze-up, the challenge of finding polar bears in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area became quite formidable. Luckily, a prevailing South wind pushed the existing ice pack out and polar bears came on land. That occurrence coupled with a second wave of bears extended the season right to the end.
Guide Colby Brokvist and travelers were treated to incredible aurora on their first evening in Churchill. Photographing behind the town complex with awesome shots of the huge stone inukshuk in the foreground proved to be a great way to start the trip.
A photo tour poses for a group picture. Colby Brokvist photo.
The following day on the tundra turned out to be, “one of the best days of the season”, according to Colby. An old, snaggle-toothed male polar bear at Gordon Point approached the rover…coming close enough for some great shots by the avid photographers. This was the first polar bear for the group so the excitement was palpable for sure.
A snaggle-toothed polar bear up close and personal. Colby Brokvist photo.
After having another bear in close to the rover, Colby spotted a sow with two coy (cubs of the year) at a fairly far distance. Chancing a trip out to them paid off as they came to a relaxed disposition. Mom began to nurse her young and the shutters began to fly. once the snow began to fly and a wind whipped it around it was time to move on. An incredible opportunity at this point of the season was followed by another bear near the tundra lodge that also took a liking to the rover and meandered quite close. What a day on the land with hardly anyone else around.
Coys nursing in the CWMA. Eric Rock photo.
The next day was somewhat slower though what lacked in wildlife opportunities was compensated for with incredible light on the Arctic landscape and marvelous sun dogs in the sky…lasting all morning until about two in the afternoon. A curious polar bear at the tundra lodge made for some great photos for the time he obliged. “Still, the light was amazing and we took many opportunities to photograph trees, rocks, ponds and blowing snow. “, reported Colby. A howling wind the entire day piled drifts up to four-feet tall. Rovers struggled to make way on the trails…however all found a way to make it through and back to launch.
A sundog appears in the sky in the CWMA.Colby Brokvist photo.
The final day on the tundra proved to be slow with regards to wildlife and specifically polar bear activity. The end of the season was about to be a reality. A lone bear near the ice edge reminded all of the true reason for the bears congregating in Churchill..to wait for the ice to form on Hudson Bay.
While eating lunch, the group was thrilled by what Colby termed a “fly-by” from a sow and coy. The pair trotted by the rover and were gone from sight in moments. Still, a fantastic day on northern tundra.
Highlights of the last couple of days in Churchill including trying out the infamous sport of curling at the curling rink in the town complex…enjoyed by all. The final day of the trip was a spectacle that most people on the planet do not have the chance to witness. Manitoba Conservation officers made the decision to release the remaining 15 polar bears from “jail” or the holding facility as the politically correct call it. The bears are released from culvert traps and all you see is their “south” end heading onto the ice…a fitting way to signal the end of bear season …and the beginning of seal season for the bears.
Aurora borealis in the sky near Churchill,MB. Eric Rock photo.
Erick Rock and his photo tour had some decent bear action in their time on the tundra lodge though the northern lights provided amazing thrills as well as photo opportunities. They also witnessed bears heading ice-ward.released from containment and saying goodbye to bear season 2012
Photo courtesy of Clement Rousseau
