Killer whales (orcas) are found in every ocean on the planet, including the fjords of Norway, the Antarctic, and even off the U.S. coastline. Although they can be seen in sub-tropical and tropical seas, they usually prefer colder waters. But can they ever be seen in UK waters?
Are there orcas in UK waters?
Also known as killer whales or the ‘pandas of the sea’ because of their distinctive black and white markings, orcas are an iconic marine predator. Seeing them in the UK is incredibly rare – but possible.
“Their black and white markings are unmistakable, making them very easy to spot,” says The Wildlife Trusts on its website. However, you still need a stroke of luck to see the UK’s resident orca population, which is known as the ‘west coast community’.
These killer whales can be found in the western waters of the UK and Ireland. They are often seen in Scottish seas but have been known to swim as far south as Cornwall. They have only been recorded in the UK.
Once a small pod, this critically endangered population is now believed to have just two orcas remaining, “which means seeing them is rare!” says The Wildlife Trusts. “Unfortunately, no calf has been born to this group in over 20 years.”
The last known members of this pod are two males known as John Coe and Aquarius. John Coe is thought to be over 60 and Aquarius is slightly younger.
John Coe is particularly distinctive because he has a huge nick out of the bottom of his dorsal fin. He “has been regularly seen since 1992 throughout the Hebrides, but is sometimes seen off the coast of Ireland and Wales,” says the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (HWDT) on its website. Lucky wildlife watchers Cornwall have even had a glimpse of the iconic orca.
The UK’s resident killer whale population has been heavily impacted by human activities, including chemical pollution which affected their reproductive abilities. Sadly, they will die out with John Coe and Aquarius.
Although this will make orca sightings even more rare, some killer whales from Iceland and Norway visit the UK seasonally to feed.
Whether you see a resident or transient orca (or if you’re not sure), you can report your sighting to your local Wildlife Trust to help them understand more about these wonderful animals.
Although it’s incredibly exciting to spot an orca in the wild, it’s important to give the animals plenty of space. “If you meet orcas whilst at sea, maintain a distance of at least 100m,” says The Wildlife Trusts. “If the orcas approach you, maintain a constant speed and allow them to interact on their own terms and leave at will.”
As well as orcas, UK waters are home to an abundance of marine life. Off the British coastline, wildlife watchers might get a glimpse of marine mammals including humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis),bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Not to mention grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and common seals (Phoca vitulina), which also swim in our seas.
Several shark species can also be found here, including blue sharks, basking sharks, angelsharksand small spotted catsharks. So far, there have been no confirmed records of great white sharks(Carcharodon carcharias) in British waters, even though the conditions would be suitable.
As the climate changes and sea surface temperatures continue to increase, different species might also start to visit the UK.
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Main image: Orca. Getty
