Second rare killer whale sighting in recent days

A pod of killer whales has been spotted in waters near Barwon Heads in a second rare sighting in recent days. WATCH THE VIDEO.

A pod of killer whales has been spotted in waters near Barwon Heads in a second rare sighting in recent days.

At least three orcas were seen by a fisherman, several kilometres off the coast of Barwon Heads and travelling in a westerly direction on Monday about 2.30pm.

The pod sighting was confirmed by Killer Whales Australia (KWA), a not-for-profit organisation that collects whale-sighting data.

KWA manager David Donnelly said orca sightings were “rare”.

“You have to be in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time,” he said.

A pair of dolphins was also spotted having a play in Torquay on Monday about 2pm.

The duo was spotted at Drainos, between Torquay surf beach and Point Danger.

A pod of killer whales was spotted several kilometres off the coast of Barwon Heads on Monday afternoon. Picture: Killer Whales Australia

On Wednesday last week, an adult male orca was spotted about 500m offshore at Point Roadknight in Anglesea.

It has not been confirmed by experts if the new sighting are the same whales as last week.

A killer whale has been spotted at Point Roadknight in Anglesea on Wednesday last week. Picture: Facebook

The lucky onlooker, who captured a photo, said it was an “epic sight to behold” and she felt “pretty lucky” to have witnessed the animal in the wild.

Another resident said he had also spotted the orca nearby at Point Addis on the same morning.

Another local said he had spotted an orca at Point Addis on Wednesday last week. Picture: Facebook

A pod of orcas, including a young calf, was seen about 500m offshore at Jan Juc beach in October 2020.

Torquay local Anna Heinz spotted the pod of between three and five whales and said they appeared to be swimming around and feeding.

Mr Donnelly said killer whales were highly mobile and travelled about 60km to 80km per day. He said researchers believed orcas were currently travelling west along the Victoria coast.

Mr Donnelly said there were two movements of the species each year, one in winter and the other in summer.

Mr Donnelly said it was not unusual for an adult male killer whale to be seen roaming the ocean by himself.

“In most cases, his family isn’t too far away, about a couple of kilometres away,” he said.

“(The males) are often scouting around and the females and calves stick together.”

Mr Donnelly said the chances of seeing the animal again in the Anglesea area were “pretty slim”.

“They very rarely remain in the same area,” he said.

“But you’re not going to see one if you don’t look.”

Locals are encouraged to report any whale or dolphin sightings at dolphinresearch.org.au/research/report-sightings.

Originally published as Second rare killer whale sighting in recent days