False Killer Whale

Photo Linda Searle

FALSE KILLER WHALES

As mysteriously as they arrived, a group of approximately 40+/- false killer whales disappeared. Normally one would be excited to see whales in the wild, but the concern was that this species is known to inhabit deep oceanic waters outside the reef and it is believed that they were lost, or sick, and that they may strand, and die. There was also discussion of euthanizing the whales should they become too weak to survive.

With the photographs of their dorsal fins it would be possible to identify specific individuals that may be seen elsewhere in the Caribbean, and thus confirm in fact that made it safely back to the Caribbean Sea.

Various organizations sighted the group during their stay inside the reef and shared their snapshots of the false killer whales which provides glimpses of their members and activity.

The pod was first observed leeward of the Drowned Cayes on February 18, about one mile southeast of Stake Bank Caye. The group then appeared February 22, residing in deeper water veins west of Forman Caye. Here they were observed moving in a circling pattern and remained for 5 days until Feb 26. On February 27 the group was observed in the Sugar Bogue channel west of Mapp's Caye, just northeast of Swallow Caye.

The sighting on Feb 27 was the last time anyone observed the pod of FKW. Aerial surveys and boat surveys were conducted but they were not observed. It is hoped that the group made their way back home through the St George's Caye Channel.

The Whale Sightings Belize map presents a summary of the location of confirmed observations of whales in Belize.

Feb 18, 2018 - 1 mile south of Stake Bank Caye

The group of false killer whales was first observed about one mile south of Stake Bank Caye, west of the Drowned Cayes and were observed bow riding off this catamaran.

Photos and video courtesy Shanine Gentle.

Feb 19, 2018

Observed in the morning and around 4pm behind the Drowned Cayes

Feb 22, 2018 - Forman Caye

Group of whales remained near Forman Caye between February 22-26, 2018, circling in the deep-water veins near the island.

Video courtesy Victor Forman

Photo Victor Forman

Feb 26, 2018 - Spanish Lookout Caye and Forman Caye

In collaboration with the Fisheries Department, ECOMAR visited the site on Monday morning to take drone footage, observe the group, determine size and test the herding method. The activities were planned in consultation with false killer whale experts from around the globe. The Fisheries Department organized drone surveys in collaboration with Julio Maaz and Jon Ramnarace/WCS. ECOMAR facilitated transport and recruited volunteers. This footage of the FKW is when they were located between Spanish Bay and Forman Caye.

As we arrived at Forman Caye on Monday morning the whales were not in their usual spot. We looked all around and were hopeful they had left. But then we circled the island and found the pod north of Forman Caye, that lead into a shallow dead end. On Feb 26 the group was in 4 groups north of Forman Caye and displayed tail slapping and in the boat we could hear them echo locating. We were concerned for their safety and waited for the drone to fly over so we could have the boat in the footage to estimate animal size. After much consultation with experts about herding the pod to deepers waters we tested the "Oikomi Pipe" method using scuba cylinders to see if the sound would encourage them to move from the shallow area where they were found.

Feb 27, 2018 - Sugar Bogue Channel near Mapp's Caye

Marine guide Clayton Burke reported observing over 40 individuals, and the adults were between 13 to 20 feet in length.

Mar 1, 2018

Eric Ramos summarizes the boat and aerial searches conducted on February 28 and March 1.