White Killer Whale Spotted In Alaska

Nearly Mythic Creature Captured On Film In Aleutian Islands Probably Not True Albino

(AP)  The white killer whale spotted in Alaska's Aleutian Islands sent researchers and the ship's crew scrambling for their cameras.

The nearly mythic creature was real after all.

"I had heard about this whale, but we had never been able to find it," said Holly Fearnbach, a research biologist with the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle who photographed the rarity. "It was quite neat to find it."

The whale was spotted last month while scientists aboard the Oscar Dyson, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research ship, were conducting an acoustic survey of pollock near Steller sea lion haulout sites.

It had been spotted once in the Aleutians years ago but had eluded researchers since, even though they had seen many of the more classic black and white whales over the years.

Fearnbach said the white whale stood out.

"When you first looked at it, it was very white," she said Thursday.

Further observation showed that while the whale's saddle area was white, other parts of its body had a subtle yellowish or brownish color.

It likely is not a true albino given the coloration, said John Durban, a research biologist at NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. That's probably a good thing - true albinos usually don't live long and can have health problems.

Durban said white killer whales have been spotted elsewhere in the area twice before: in 1993 in the northern Bering Sea around St. Lawrence Island and in 2001 near Adak in the central Aleutians. There have also been sightings along the Russian coast.

While Alaska researchers have documented thousands of black and white killer whales in the Bering Sea and the Aleutians during summer surveys, this was something new and exciting, Durban said.

"This is the first time we came across a white killer whale," he said.

The scientists observed several pods over a two-week period. The white whale was in a family group of 12 on a day when the seas were fairly rough. It was spotted about 2 miles off Kanaga Volcano on Feb. 23.

The ship stayed with the whale for about 30 minutes.

"Everybody actually came out and was taking pictures," Fearnbach said. "It was a neat sighting for everybody."

The whale appeared to be a healthy, adult male about 25 to 30 feet long and weighing upward of 10,000 pounds.

[brianbwb-2009]

Of course now fishermen the world over are sharpening their harpoons, and making appointments with their taxidermists.

By the way, magicmerlin, I believe he said "Call me Ishmael".

[tweedle02]

Man has a habit of killing everything it doesn''t understand. I certainly hope that this Orca can live out it''s life with out interference in any way shape or form. I would hate to see something this unique wind up with the same inhumane and grusome fate as other Orca have in the past. At least some people can realize it''s worth ALIVE.

[irliberal]

Very cool. And look at all the killer whale food posting here. But, that might give the whale indigestion...

[blacksakibou]

How exciting! I do hope that they can get more photographs of it! I was thrilled when I saw this news headline, but was slightly disappointed to find that they only managed to get pictures of the dorsal fin. Still very interesting, though.
PS: If you google "white killer whale" and click on ''News'' you can find different and better photographs of it, where it doesn''t look so dark.

[rf35]

Yeah, sort of the Michael Jackson of the whale world.

[talkingham]

That''s the darkest white whale I''ve ever seen. Looks brownishish-gray to me.

[klingon69]

Didn''''t Hillary say she likes to swim for exercise?
Hmmm...
Posted by hawksprings at 01:45 PM : Mar 07, 2008
More likely Ropsie Odonell. Guess she''s looking for Donald.

[chesty95]

"A gold dubloon to the man who first spies the white whale."

[rf35]

I''m surprised they haven''t killed it for "scientific research".
Posted by matvei1107 at 01:07 PM


Only the Japanese do that.


Was it caused by "Global Warming"??? THE SKY IS FALLING. THE SKY IS FALLING
Posted by rphull

Get a life.

It''s the reincarnation of Moby D.ick!

[robertkjjj]

This harassment of Rosie O''Donnell must be stopped!

[rphull]

Was it caused by "Global Warming"??? THE SKY IS FALLING. THE SKY IS FALLING

[hawksprings]

Didn''t Hillary say she likes to swim for exercise?
Hmmm...