Welcome to Episode 9 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon explore the fascinating world of dolphins and porpoises in British Columbia's waters. From their differences in appearance and behaviour to their unique adaptations for survival, this episode dives deep into the lives of these incredible cetaceans. Along the way, you'll learn about hybrid porpoises and playful dolphins and how these species thrive in BC’s diverse marine ecosystems. Whether you’re a marine biology enthusiast or simply curious about the creatures beneath the waves, this episode is packed with fun facts and engaging stories!

Topics Include:

Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join Claudia, Nik, and Brendon as they dive into exciting questions about whale watching seasons, bald eagle populations, and the incredible feeding behaviors of whales in British Columbia. From the best times to spot whales on the coast to the inspiring recovery of bald eagles, this episode covers it all. Whether you're planning your next whale-watching adventure or just curious about the animals of the Salish Sea, this episode is filled with engaging insights and fascinating facts!

Topics Include:

• (0:39) When does the whale watching season start in 2025?
• (6:39) Why is British Columbia home to so many bald eagles?
• (10:45) How did bald eagles recover from near extinction?
• (14:28) Fun facts about eagle hunting and survival behaviours

Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at ⁠podcast@princeofwhales.com⁠ or on Instagram. 🌊

Episode 7 Description:

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join Claudia, Nik, and Brendon as they dive into the fascinating world of orca taxonomy, hybrid species, and exciting new developments with the Southern Resident Killer Whales. This episode explores how orca populations are classified into subspecies, the surprising world of marine mammal hybrids, and the hopeful news of new calves in the struggling Southern Resident population. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just love hearing about the latest in marine life, this episode is packed with captivating insights!

Topics Include:

• (0:38) Why scientists are classifying Bigg’s and Resident Killer Whales into different subspecies
• (7:34) The strange world of marine mammal hybrids, from narwhal-beluga crosses to grolar bears
• (12:10) The exciting news of new Southern Resident Killer Whale calves and their importance for population recovery

Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at ⁠podcast@princeofwhales.com⁠ or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! In this episode, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon explore the fascinating world of orca ecotypes and the challenges they face. From the playful yet mysterious “salmon hat” behavior of resident killer whales to the critical differences between Southern and Northern Resident orcas, this episode dives deep into the interconnected lives of orcas and their essential prey: Chinook salmon. Discover how human activities, environmental changes, and historical captures have shaped the current plight of these iconic marine mammals.

Topics Include:

• (0:49) The truth behind the “salmon hats” trend observed in resident killer whales
• (3:22) Why Southern Resident Killer Whales are critically endangered compared to their Northern counterparts
• (7:15) Conservation efforts to restore Chinook salmon populations and how it impacts orcas
• (14:28) The historical capture of Southern Resident orcas and its lasting effects on their population

Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they tackle fascinating questions about marine wildlife and dive into some of the Salish Sea’s most intriguing creatures. This episode unpacks the mystery behind whale blows, explores the epic confrontations between humpback whales and orcas, and highlights the rare and delightful tufted puffins. Whether you’re curious about whale behaviours or eager to learn about puffins on the Pacific coast, this episode is packed with engaging stories and insights.

Topics Include:

• (0:43) What is a whale blow, and why does it look like water?
• (4:46) Why do humpback whales intervene in orca hunts?
• (11:28) What puffins live on the Pacific coast, and where can you see them?

Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they dive into the unique lives of sea otters and the incredible feeding techniques of humpback whales. This episode explores the fascinating story of Ollie, a solitary sea otter at Race Rocks, and his remarkable adaptation to life on his own. We also discuss how sea otters play a critical role as keystone species, protecting kelp forests and supporting marine ecosystems. Later, we delve into humpback whales' clever hunting strategies, from bubble net feeding to trap feeding and beyond. Whether you’re intrigued by the resilience of sea otters or the cooperation of humpbacks, this episode is packed with fascinating insights.

Topics Include:

• (0:44) Meet Ollie, the solitary sea otter of Race Rocks
• (1:22) How sea otters support kelp forests and marine ecosystems
• (2:31) The history of the sea otter fur trade and conservation efforts
• (13:17) What is bubble net feeding, and how does it work?
• (17:31) Other fascinating humpback feeding techniques like trap feeding and flick feeding

Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they explore the wonders of British Columbia’s marine ecosystems. In this episode, we focus on the iconic Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, uncovering its incredible biodiversity and the powerful tidal currents that shape it. We also dive into the epic journeys of humpback whales, exploring their migration patterns, the reasons behind their travels, and the fascinating story of their population recovery after near extinction. Whether you're a marine enthusiast or just curious about the underwater world, this episode offers a deep dive into the lives of these magnificent creatures.

Topics Include:

• What makes Race Rocks a hotspot for marine life
• The incredible wildlife you can spot at the reserve
• The mechanics and importance of tidal upwelling at Race Rocks
• The breathtaking migrations of humpback whales
• Why some humpbacks are starting to stay year-round

Stay tuned for more exciting topics in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊