A group of transit users taking the SeaBus Friday morning got a delightful surprise when they spotted a pod of orcas near downtown Vancouver.
According to TransLink’s The Buzzer Blog, the killer whales were spotted swimming north Past Stanley Park. TransLink spoke with Theodore Yu, who was one of the lucky SeaBus passengers who saw the orcas in the Burrard Inlet.
“It’s usually a very quite ride, so I was like, what is going on? I took my headphones off and I heard the word ‘dolphins,’” Theodore said to The Buzzer Blog.
Before you know it, Theodore said “everyone was rushing to the side of the SeaBus and there were a pod of killer whales” above the water.
“According to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Society, these are most likely Bigg’s Killer Whales — one of three species found in our waters. They are considered transient and prey on larger marine mammals, like seals,” added TransLink’s blog.
“These particular whales are occasionally seen, several times a year, in the waters of Burrard Inlet and usually travel up Indian Arm for hunting. There have been more sightings in recent years, most like due to an increase in their food supply.”
Quite the sight for SeaBus riders to say the least.