Orca whales spotted near Lions Gate Bridge (PHOTOS)

Jun 21 2016, 10:19 am

An orca whale pod’s deep venture into Burrard Inlet on Sunday morning was captured in a series of photos by a local whale watcher.

According to Andy Scheffler, a guide for Vancouver Whale Watch, the whales are part of the transient killer family T101 consisting of a mother and her three sons. They frolicked around the freighters in English Bay and swam past Stanley Park’s Third Beach and Siwash Rock. They nearly reached the Lions Gate Bridge before turning back past Ambleside Park.

Nearly one year ago on June 22, 2015, orcas were also seen swimming in Vancouver’s local waters, reaching Coal Harbour – just north of the Vancouver Convention Centre – before heading back out of the First Narrows.

In recent years, there have been a rise in whale sightings in Burrard Inlet, an indicator of the region’s improving environmental condition compared to its industrial past. More recently this past April, a humpback whale was frequently seen in the area for nearly three weeks – almost on a daily basis.

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

Image: Andy Scheffler / submitted

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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