ABW Dec-1

He told the New Zealand Herald that it was “the best day
of my life.”
Studies have proven that Orcas can learn new languages
and have been recorded changing vocal sounds to that of
bottlenose dolphin in order to communicate with them. They
have also been witnessed in attempts to form human vocals.
Orcas have the second largest brain of any animal and almost
half of it is used by the insular vortex which is the most
elaborate in the world. The insula is involved in consciousness
and playing diverse functions linked to emotions that
includes compassion, empathy, perception, motor control,
self-awareness, and interpersonal experience. Scientists for
decades have observed complex emotions in orcas, and they
also have powerful empathy for each other and for humans
Orcas have always cooperated with humans and there are
hundreds if not thousands of examples. Too many to list here like
the one off Twofold Bay on the NSW coast of Australia where
Orcas would aid whalers by alerting them to the presence of
whales and help them haul their catch aboard in exchange for
small treats. Stories of Orcas helping humans hunt or fisherman
falling overboard or their boats sinking in shark infested waters
with orcas chasing them away and saving their lives abound.
Two together
People who have interacted closely with killer whales offer
numerous anecdotes demonstrating the Orcas’ curiosity,
playfulness, and ability to solve problems.
We need to be fear most wild animals but the Orca is by no
means one of them. They treat humans and protect them as
one of their own and it is a disgrace that all humans don’t
treat them the same.
Who knows the day might come were we can sit at a floating
bar watching the football over a pie and chips and a cold
beer chatting with an Orca mate while he munches on a seal
and a drink of what ever an Orca might fancy.
Wild Orcas at play with people
Wollongong Showground with
dog track in background.
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