A group of killer whales, also known as orcas, surprised residents of B.C.’s Sunshine Coast by swimming close to the shore and rubbing their bellies on the rocks. Ryan Chilibeck, a resident of Gibsons, rushed to Secret Beach Park after hearing about the orcas passing by on January 2. He was fortunate to witness the killer whales swimming just a few feet from the shore, putting on a mesmerizing show for about 20 minutes.
The pod of orcas has been identified as the northern resident killer whales, specifically the A5 pod, which consists of three different families. This behavior of rubbing their bellies on rocks is unique and specialized, only observed in a few killer whale populations worldwide, according to Jared Towers, the executive director of Bay Cetology.
The pebbles at the beach must be suitable for the northern resident killer whales to engage in this behavior, and the A5 pod is known to prefer the rocks along the Sunshine Coast. Rubbing their bellies against the smooth rocks not only feels good for the whales but also helps with skin exfoliation. This process assists in shedding dead skin cells, keeping their skin healthy and active.
The community came together over the whale sightings, thanks to a local Facebook group dedicated to sharing such sightings. Glenda Sewards, who runs the group, aims to ensure that everyone in the community can witness and enjoy these magnificent creatures. She initiated the group over a decade ago after spotting whales from her own back deck in Langdale. Sewards finds joy in witnessing the community’s excitement and love for these marine encounters.