ABW Dec-1

The Killer Whale is the most misnamed creature on
this planet. To begin with it is not a whale, in fact,
it is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin
family. It is certainly not a killer, not of humans
anyway. Of course, all living creatures, including humans, kill
for food but there is no recorded death of a human at the
hands or fins of a Killer Whale in the wild.
There have been four recorded deaths
of handlers killed by Killer Whales
in captivity and again with all living
creatures, including humans, they will
become violent and even kill if they
or their family feel threatened as was
the case in the deaths of those four
handlers. It has been learned that
Orcas are not comfortable in captivity.
Although the term “orca” is
increasingly used, scientists most
often use the traditional name “killer
whale”. The genus name Orcinus means “of the kingdom of
the dead”. For the purpose of this article and the fact that
“Killer Whale” is a huge misnomer, I will use the term Orca.
Over the course of the last couple of decades there have
been numerous studies of Orca’s both in captivity an in the
wild with some absolutely amazing finds. They are a social
creature on the same level as humans and display the same
traits, including playfulness, independence, stubbornness,
bravery, sensitivity and protectiveness. They have a deep
affinity with humans and interact with them whenever the
occasion arises. Unlike most other animals they have strong
family ties and Orcas stay with their mother for their entire
life.
Records of Orca’s interaction with humans in the wild are
numerous and awe-inspiring. A recent experience between
a New Zealand Distance swimmer and an Orca that was
reported by the New Zealand Times brings back vivid
memories of my own encounter with a Bottlenose Dolphin
when I was in my last year of High School. Although it was
55 years ago, I still endure the same euphoria when I think
about it as I did on the day.
I was competing in the district athletics carnival on the
Wollongong Showground, now Win Stadium and home to
the “St. George/Illawarra Dragons Rugby League team. In
1965 there was just had a grandstand
on the city side surrounded by a
3-foot-high fence running around the
One of the dolphins
disappeared but one
of them swam directly
up to me and began
gently nudging my
body with his nose.
rest of the oval, the beach was only
20 meters or so from the showground
on the sea side of the ground. and a
dog track running around the inside
of the fence.
I had completed my last event for
the day at 1pm and as my parents
weren’t picking me up until 4pm,
myself and two mates decided to hop
the fence and go for a swim at the
nearby unpatrolled beach.
We had swum the 30 or so meters past the breaking waves
when we were joined by three Bottlenose dolphins. One of
my mates high tailed it back to shore as fast as his arms and
legs would take him. My other mate, who was known for his
fearlessness remained so I had to do likewise to save face.
What happened from that point on was and still is the most
amazing experiences of my life.
One of the dolphins disappeared but one of them swam
directly up to me and began gently nudging my body with
his nose. The dolphin’s nose is a deadly weapon and can
kill a large shark with a single blow but this guy seemed to
sense my apprehension and I am 100% sure he was working
to allay it.
He continued to gently nudge me. At times we just laid in
the water facing each other, looking into each other’s eyes.
I spoke to him and he made deep glutaral sounds back at
of of the Sea
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