Russian Scientists Search for Elusive White Orca Whale

By ⋅ April 25, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
Orca pod (Photo: Far East Orca Project)

Orca pod (Photo: Far East Orca Project)

For our Geo Quiz, we’re looking for the name of some islands in Russia’s Far East.

They’re located off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Bering Sea. The chilly waters around these islands are migrating habitat for many whales, including sperm whales, humpbacks and orcas. Two years ago, Russian marine scientists spotted a white dorsal fin sticking out of the water. It may belong to an all white adult orca killer whale.

Now the Russian researchers plan to return to these islands to locate and observe the white orca they’ve nicknamed Iceberg. Can you name these Russian islands? Hint: Can you read Russian (Командо́рские острова́)?

This summer Russian researchers will search for Iceberg. The search begins in the Bering Sea near the Commander Islands or Komandorski Islands, the answer to our Geo Quiz.

Erich Hoyt co-directs the Far East Russia Orca Project and is part of the research team that hopes to identify and observe the elusive white orca killer whale.


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Discussion

3 comments for “Russian Scientists Search for Elusive White Orca Whale”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kathy-Carlson/97800999 Kathy Carlson

    I enjoyed the story about the white orca–and am eager to watch the video at the website. However, I wanted to say a word in defense of Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.”  Your scientist said that in that book, Melville “vilified” the white whale. I would argue that Captain Ahab vilified the whale–and that’s why he died at the end.

    Many argue that the whale represents the unanswered questions in the universe–or even God. Therefore, Melville suggests that we should leave such grandeur alone–and not try to kill it.

    Somewhere out there, the white whale still swims, if not literally, then in the imaginations of many of us.

    Thank you for another compelling story  on your show. I love it.

  • James Ivey

    Hast thou seen the white whale?

    If I remember correctly, Melville spent an inordinate amount of ink and paper vilifying the color white, not just the white whale.  Makes me wonder if the narrator was much more stable than Ahab.

    And, if I have my facts right, an orca is technically a dolphin, not a whale.

    Still, loved the story and the pics and video above!

    Thanks!

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