Last members of critically endangered group of orcas spotted at Donegal Bay
The species are identifiable by their size and sloping eye patches
The last remaining members of a critically endangered group of orcas (killer whales) were spotted at Donegal Bay.
The duo, John Coe and Aquarius, are the last members of the endangered West Coast Community of Scotland. Monitored by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust since 1992, they are identifiable by their sloping eye patches, large body size and specialised diet.
These bull orcas have been spotted across Irish and UK waters for years, with John Coe estimated to be around 60 years old, while Aquarius is believed to be younger.
“A critically important group of mammal-eating killer whales that has travelled the waters of Ireland and Scotland for decades,” Orca Ireland shared. “Every confirmed sighting of these remarkable animals helps us better understand their movements and contributes to their long-term conservation.”
The sighting was captured by Rossnowlagh Surf School and shared by Orca Ireland, who intend to share the story of John Coe and Aquarius as part of Orca Month. Orcas are the largest members of the oceanic dolphin family. Outside of captivity, the animals have never been responsible for a human death.