Dorsal view of the skull
Lateral view of the skull
Ventral view of the skull
Surface - blow - dive profile
A group of killer whales
A group of killer whales
Distribution map
Orca sounds recorded from a land based station on the 30th Dec. 1992 in Indre Tysfjord / Kikvika, during the day. Approximately 100-200 orcas were in the fjord at that time. Social activity must have been high as many whistles and signature calls can be heard. Some of these reverberate from the steep fjord walls. In the background SONAR clicks can be heard.
Orca sounds recorded from a land based station on the 29th Dec. 1992 in Indre Tysfjord at the small marina in Kjöpsvik, during the night. As a result of the darkness, SONAR activity is very high and many clicks can be heard. However, social activities (whistles and calls) can still be heard.
Orca sound recorded from a land based station on the 30th Dec. 1992 in Indre Tysfjord at the cement factory in Kjöpsvik, during the day. Orca pods (family groups of 8-12 individuals), travelling separately into Indre Tyfjord. Some whales pass within 30 m of the hydrophone. Very quiet, only repetitive travelling calls are heard.
Orca sounds recorded from a boat based station on the 6th Jan. 1993 in Indre Tysfjord during the day. Approximately 20-30 orcas were in the fjord at the time, most of which were very silent and perhaps resting. Two orcas, a male and a female were mating near the boat. A series of deep moans can be heard which are believed to be mating sounds. Wave splashes from the boat are also heard.
Orca sounds recorded from a shore based station on the 4th Jan. 1993 in Indre Tysfjord Kikvika during the day. Approximately 50 orcas were in the fjord at the time, and both whistles and clicks are heard, whilst the herring (Clupea harengus) were herded into tightly packed shoals. Waves are heard to be breaking on the shore.