Orca Aware - BDMLR

06/03/2026

04/02/2026

This should be of interest to many of you. We know HWDT and Norwegian Orca Survey well, so it should be a fascinating webinar.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BrHQ8bhMC/

💻 2026 WINTER WEBINAR SEASON 💻

🎤 Join us this Wednesday at 7pm to find out everything you need to know about Northeastern Atlantic killer whales, with Eve Jourdain from Norwegian Orca Survey.
Join here: https://ow.ly/tS4U50Y5qLu

🎟️ We invite you to join the conversation, ask questions and share your experiences. We want our talks to be accessible for everyone so we are asking you to pay what you can. Your donation will support marine conservation in Scotland.

Norwegian Orca Survey

23/01/2026

Troubling news that despite having confirmed that Wikie and Keijo, the two orca currently at Marineland Antibes could go to a new sea sanctuary in Nova Scotia where they would live out their lives with the very best welfare, it seems that the the French government is discussing the possibility that they may now be transferred to SeaWorld Orlando, where their fate would be to continue performing in sub-optimal conditions.

As the future of the last two captive orcas in France remains under discussion, although no final decisions have been made at this stage, our colleagues at One Voice are sounding the alarm with deep concern. Marineland in France is reportedly considering sending Wikie and her son Keijo across the oc...

06/01/2026

Remembering Tilikum who died on this day in 2017

Today, we're remembering Tilikum, who died on January 6, 2017 after 33 agonizing years in captivity.

The star of Blackfish, the documentary which highlights the inherent cruelty of the captive marine mammal industry, should have spent his entire life interacting with other orcas, hunting and foraging, and feeling the ocean currents.

Instead, he was stolen from his ocean home in 1983, at approximately two years old, and endured both physical and psychological torment for entertainment.

We won't ever forget him and continue to fight for an end to animal entertainment in his memory. We urge you to read his story and never support venues that hold wild animals captive for entertainment.

Swim free, Tilikum. 🌊

23/12/2025

The Orca Aware team would like to wish all of our followers a Merry Orcamas and a happy, healthy New year 🖤🤍🎄

22/12/2025

Katina has passed… she is now free.
Second captive orca to die this month.
We must keep being their voice, and make sure the ones that are in captivity are the last to ever experience this type of life!

22/12/2025

A great documentary about the threats not just to the southern resident orca in the Pacific North West, but also to the continuation of the science that helps ensure their protection.

As endangered southern resident killer whales fight for survival, federal funding cuts threaten the science working to save them.Recommended Reading:https://...

15/12/2025

Very sad news Kshamenk has passed. He is now no longer trapped in a tiny tank and will finally swim free 🖤🤍

RIP KSHAMENK 💔
May you finally be free.

He was captive for 33 years.
For more than 20 of those years, he lived entirely alone.

His tank at Mundo Marino was barely larger than his own body, a sun-bleached oval of concrete and chlorinated water.

For hours he floated, unmoving.

His name was Kshamenk.

He should have known the vastness of the sea,
the sound of his family, the freedom every orca is born to.

Why are sentient beings imprisoned for our entertainment. Freedom traded for concrete tanks. Do not fund this slave trade, do not buy a ticket.

For Kshamenk it is too late. 😔 For others there is still time.

14/12/2025

🤞🤞 good news to come for Wikie and Keijo. It looks possible that they could be moved to the whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia in 2026.

French government invites Whale Sanctuary Project to explore possibility of orcas coming to sanctuary in Nova Scotia.

04/12/2025

You may find this fascinating!

Join us for a FREE global virtual screening of Counting Orca!

On December 10th, we’re hosting two online screenings so viewers around the world can attend at their convenience.

Screening Times:
• 18:00 GMT (UK) / 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time
• 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (Seattle) / 02:00 GMT on 11 December (UK)

After each screening, stay for a live Q&A with CWR researchers, the filmmakers, and the team that brought Counting Orca to life.

🎟️ Free (registration required)

Sign up via Eventbrite using the link below for the screening you would like to attend:

December 10th, 18:00 GMT (UK): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1969892380137?aff=oddtdtcreator

December 10th, 6:00 p.m. PT (USA): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976435262073?aff=oddtdtcreator

We look forward to sharing this film with you and celebrating the incredible work Dr. Ken Balcomb began nearly 50 years ago to start the census and long-term study of the Southern Resident killer whales.

30/10/2025

Recent footage of Wikie and Keijo at Marineland, Antibes, France.
The park closed back in January this year, yet these 2 beautiful orca are still there.
We must fight harder for them, all the orca and other cetaceans trapped in tanks