A group of killer whales surprised residents on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast by swimming close to the shore and engaging in a behavior where they rubbed their bellies on the rocks. Ryan Chilibeck, a resident of Gibsons, rushed to Secret Beach Park after hearing about the orcas swimming by. He described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime show.
Witnesses gathered on the beach to watch the pod of orcas swim back and forth near the shore for about 20 minutes. The whales were identified as part of the northern resident killer whales (NRKW) A5 pod, consisting of three different families. This behavior of rubbing their bellies on the rocks is unique and specialized, with only a few killer whale populations worldwide observed engaging in this activity.
The pebbles at the beach are specifically chosen by the NRKW A5 pod for this behavior, as it feels good for the whales and may aid in exfoliation. The whales’ active skin benefits from rubbing against the smooth rocks, helping with the sloughing process. Community members were able to witness this unique sight, thanks to a local Facebook group that shares whale sightings.
Glenda Sewards, who runs the Facebook group, aims to ensure that everyone in the community can enjoy sightings of these magnificent creatures. The group was created over a decade ago after Sewards spotted whales from her back deck in Langdale. The community’s excitement and love for these encounters bring joy to all involved.