One thing your post makes clear is how long-term land-based observations can give us a perspective on SRKW behavior (particularly in the early mornings and evenings when vessels are less present) that is rarely achievable from boats.

Indeed here’s to Beam Reach! Thank you writing about your epiphanies and thereby helping us teachers remember why we keep the School and courses going.

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2012/05/16/deadly-blow-to-orca-blast-or-glancing-impact

Preliminary necropsy report #2 –
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Whales-Dolphins-Porpoise/Killer-Whales/L112-rpt2.cfm

SeaDoc synopsis —
http://www.seadocsociety.org/L112-preliminary-report

NPR interview of Joe Gaydoes by KUOW’s Ashley Ahearn –
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/16/152820018/what-killed-orca-victoria-some-point-to-naval-tests

OPB Think Out Loud radio interview with NWFSC and Navy guests –
http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/dangerous-sonar/

Seattle Times coverage –
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018214627_apwaorcadeathmystery.html

http://jcollinenglish.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/forage-fish-in-the-salish-sea/

– including link to the SeaDoc Society’s forage fish needs assessment —

http://www.seadocsociety.org/forage-fish-needs-assessment

– and a 1916 description of a passing massive school of forage fish making the sound of a “hailstorm in water” that is akin to my characterization of “near-constant sizzling” here —

http://econscience.org/tiki/2011/06/27/24-hr-marine-mammal-marathon/

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/navy+says+nothing+with+whale+death/6371259/story.html

April 2, 2012

Clipped from Orca Network facebook page; no link available.

The Northwest Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network, administered by NOAA Fisheries, Protected Resources Division in Seattle, WA is investigating the death of a juvenile killer whale that stranded on the Long Beach peninsula on February 11, 2012. The whale, was tentatively identified as L-112 based on a comparison of its external markings with a photographic catalogue of known whales. L112 was part of the L4 matriline of L pod of the Southern Resident killer whale population, a species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Several organizations belonging to the Stranding Network are participating in the stranding investigation including Dr. Deborah Duffield, Portland State University, Jessie Huggins, Cascadia Research Collective, Dyanna Lambourn, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Mammal Investigations, Amy Traxler, The Whale Museum, Dr. Joe Gaydos, University of California SeaDoc Society, and Dr. Stephen Raverty, Animal Health Center in British Columbia.

Initial Examinations

Portland State University, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Cascadia Research Collective conducted the post-mortem examination of the whale in the field on February 12, 2012. The team collected morphometric data, photographs and tissues for analysis. Samples were submitted for genetic analysis to confirm the whale’s identification as a Southern Resident. Observations indicate the animal was moderately decomposed but likely dead for less than a week when found. The investigative team has not yet determined a cause of death for this animal but examiners found extensive hemorrhage in the soft tissues of the chest, head and right side of the body. Photographs from the examination and a preliminary report of observations by the field team have been posted online at: http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/examination_of_dead_killer_whale-12Feb2012.htm

The head was collected, frozen, and later scanned at the VCA Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle. The Computed Tomography (CT) data collected by the scanner are being analyzed by veterinary radiologists, Dr. Tori Mcklveen, VCA and Dr. Sophie Dennison-Gibby, NOAA Fisheries. After scanning, Dr. Gaydos & Dyanna Lambourn led a team that performed a forensic dissection of the head at the Friday Harbor Laboratory on March 6-7th, 2012.

The skeletal remains from the field examination were transferred to the Whale Museum for further cleaning and examination. Over a 3-day period in mid-February, the flesh adhering to the bones was removed and the bones were secured to racks to be cleaned in sea water. During handling, museum staff examined the bones for any obvious fractures but none were found. After soaking the bones they will be further cleaned, dried, and re-examined. Any minor fractures that are found will be documented, photographed, and noted in the final examination report. Whale Museum has requested authorization from NOAA to retain L-112’s skeleton and skull to be used for exhibit and educational purposes at the Museum.

Environmental Conditions

Based on the approximate date of death, NOAA Fisheries and the NOAA Hazardous Materials Response Division reviewed environmental data from early February and found that prevailing wind and currents, between February 1 and February 11 were predominantly from the south. In addition, local current conditions are largely influenced by eddies flowing northward from the mouth of the Columbia River. This indicates that the animal likely died near the Columbia River or to the south and could have drifted a substantial distance before being cast ashore on Long Beach. Other environmental factors that are being researched include; earthquakes and if they could cause trauma or disorientation and sea surface temperature. Diet studies are underway to further investigate winter feeding habits.

Human Activities

We are seeking information from a variety of sources in an attempt to identify whether human activities may have contributed to the injuries we observed. Communication with the United States Navy, Canadian Navy, United States Coast Guard, United States Air Force, and fisheries managers is on-going or being initiated. NOAA Fisheries has reviewed reports received by the Marine Mammal Authorization Program from commercial fishing vessels between January and February 2012 and found that no incidental mortality or injuries involving killer whale(s) was reported anywhere on the west coast during this timeframe.

Sample Analysis

Cascadia Research Collective is managing distribution of samples, sample data, and the dissemination of results to the investigation team. Parasites, bacteriology, and food habit samples have been sent to several labs for analysis and results are pending. Histopathology samples collected during the post mortem examination and head dissection will be analyzed by the Oregon State University School of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Raverty. The results of these analyses, which are likely to take several weeks to compile, will be used to supplement the preliminary findings from the field examinations and compiled into a report, possibly for publication. Submission of contaminant, virology, and biotoxin samples are also pending.

Information collected by the Stranding Network and NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources is being shared with the NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement which is conducting an independent enforcement investigation of the event. Media inquiries for this case can be directed to NOAA Public Affairs, Brian Gorman at 206-526-6613 or Brian.Gorman@noaa.gov who can provide updates as information becomes available.

http://www.whaleresearch.com/encounter_pages/2012/news_L112death.html

Orca Network’s list of L-112 news:

http://www.orcanetwork.org/news/L112news.html

And related press stories:

– CBC (with lots of comments):

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/03/21/bc-whale-explosion-death.html?cmp=rss

–Vancouver Sun story

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Details+live+fire+exercises+requested+after+orca+killed/6348566/story.html

http://whalemuseum.org/programs/stranding%20network/Sooke.html

Chris Dunagan blog post about the investigations Ken Balcomb is calling on DFO and NOAA to initiate regarding unusual mortality events on the outer coast –

http://pugetsoundblogs.com/waterways/2012/03/16/balcomb-wants-to-know-if-young-orca-was-bombed/