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Whale of a tale: Deer evades being eaten by orca off Vancouver Island

Bigg鈥檚 whales feed on marine mammals such seals, sea lions and porpoises
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A deer swims alongside a Bigg鈥檚 whale, identified as T124C and called Cooper, in the waters east of Vancouver Island. (Sam Murphy/Island Adventures)

The Pacific Whale Watch Association took the time to educate after a deer and orca were spotted swimming near each other in the Salish Sea.

The photo, credited to Sam Murphy and posted online by Island Adventures, showed a Bigg鈥檚 whale with a deer paddling away. It was taken near Battleship Island, a U.S. island east of Sidney Island.

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Deer are strong swimmers and known to swim island to island, the association noted, pointing out that orcas around the world enjoy different diets. They鈥檒l eat fish, sharks penguins and more, and the Bigg鈥檚 in the image feeds on marine mammals such seals, sea lions and porpoises 鈥 putting the deer at risk, the association said.

By all accounts 鈥 and lucky for the deer 鈥 it appears the orca, identified as T124C and called Cooper, wasn鈥檛 in the mood for venison.



About the Author: Greater Victoria News Staff

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