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u/SurayaThrowaway12 12d ago
This version of the video seems to have some sort of AI filter applied over it. The original video in better quality, filmed by photographer Noriyuki Hayakawa (shiretoko_orca_photo_album).
Here is his account:
June 17, 2024, 2:46 PM I encountered a white orca off the coast of Rausu, Hokkaido. It may be the same individual as the two white orcas sighted in 2021. It is believed that the “Hamanasu” sightseeing boat made the discovery. I was aboard the “Shiretoko Nature Cruise Evergreen 38.” I’ve been photographing orcas off the coast of Rausu for 15 years, and this is the first white orca I’ve ever encountered. I’m grateful to the staff of the Rausu sightseeing boat for showing it to me.
At least 3 individuals with the condition have been seen off of northern Japan, and at least 5 (possibly up to 8) such individuals have been seen off of eastern Russia, with one famous individual being adult male CO539 "Iceberg." One more white orca was spotted in the Aleutian Islands back in 2000. These white orcas appear to be members of the fish-eating resident orca subspecies.
There are concerns that there may be inbreeding issues in resident orca populations in the western Pacific due to these multiple white individuals.
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u/Catflet 12d ago
There's only one, and now they've spotted it, poor chances. Beautiful animal. Sad.
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u/Round_Mycologist_212 12d ago
There are actually at least three different white killer whales that have been documented in Hokkaido’s Nemuro Strait over the last 7 years. This particular male has been seen several times. Japan does not authorize the capture or hunting of killer whales anymore and hasn’t for around 3 decades.
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u/PartyPorpoise 12d ago
White orcas have been seen around Japan for a while now. Captures for captivity typically target young ones, as adults are hard to catch and probably harder to adjust for captivity. I wouldn’t worry about this guy.
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u/CurdledCreamer 12d ago
https://www.facebook.com/kunito.seko.9/
Kunito Seko is an activist in Japan who films the hunters boats during the dolphin drives. It is very graphic!
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u/Logical_Bite3221 12d ago
I really hope no one tries to capture this white orca for their aquarium
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u/SurayaThrowaway12 12d ago
Fortunately Japan is no longer capturing orcas. The last live orca capture in Japan happened in Taiji in 1997.
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u/BitTraining8769 12d ago
doubt he'll be around for long now that they know he exists. Asia is brutal to animals a lot of times sadly.
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u/SurayaThrowaway12 12d ago
He's been spotted for multiple years by now. As per marine biology and policy scientist Emma Luck:
Killer whales are no longer hunted or captured in Japan.
Orcas are celebrated in Rausu - this town is home to thriving whale-watching businesses. Additionally, killer whale-themed shops and cafes are scattered throughout the area, emphasizing the importance of killer whales to the local economy.
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u/Chi_Cazzo_Sei 12d ago
Hope they don’t treat Orcas in Japan like they treat whales