Episodes

  • Episode 6: Orca Ecotypes & Salmon Hats
    Jan 6 2025

    Welcome to Episode 6 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! In this episode, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon explore the fascinating world of orca ecotypes and the challenges they face. From the playful yet mysterious “salmon hat” behavior of resident killer whales to the critical differences between Southern and Northern Resident orcas, this episode dives deep into the interconnected lives of orcas and their essential prey: Chinook salmon. Discover how human activities, environmental changes, and historical captures have shaped the current plight of these iconic marine mammals.

    Topics Include:

    • (0:49) The truth behind the “salmon hats” trend observed in resident killer whales
    • (3:22) Why Southern Resident Killer Whales are critically endangered compared to their Northern counterparts
    • (7:15) Conservation efforts to restore Chinook salmon populations and how it impacts orcas
    • (14:28) The historical capture of Southern Resident orcas and its lasting effects on their population

    Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

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    19 mins
  • Episode 5: Blows, Orca attacks, & Puffins
    Dec 23 2024

    Welcome to Episode 5 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they tackle fascinating questions about marine wildlife and dive into some of the Salish Sea’s most intriguing creatures. This episode unpacks the mystery behind whale blows, explores the epic confrontations between humpback whales and orcas, and highlights the rare and delightful tufted puffins. Whether you’re curious about whale behaviours or eager to learn about puffins on the Pacific coast, this episode is packed with engaging stories and insights.

    Topics Include:

    • (0:43) What is a whale blow, and why does it look like water?
    • (4:46) Why do humpback whales intervene in orca hunts?
    • (11:28) What puffins live on the Pacific coast, and where can you see them?

    Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

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    18 mins
  • Episode 4: Sea Otters & Feeding Behaviours
    Dec 16 2024

    Welcome to Episode 4 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they dive into the unique lives of sea otters and the incredible feeding techniques of humpback whales. This episode explores the fascinating story of Ollie, a solitary sea otter at Race Rocks, and his remarkable adaptation to life on his own. We also discuss how sea otters play a critical role as keystone species, protecting kelp forests and supporting marine ecosystems. Later, we delve into humpback whales' clever hunting strategies, from bubble net feeding to trap feeding and beyond. Whether you’re intrigued by the resilience of sea otters or the cooperation of humpbacks, this episode is packed with fascinating insights.

    Topics Include:

    • (0:44) Meet Ollie, the solitary sea otter of Race Rocks
    • (1:22) How sea otters support kelp forests and marine ecosystems
    • (2:31) The history of the sea otter fur trade and conservation efforts
    • (13:17) What is bubble net feeding, and how does it work?
    • (17:31) Other fascinating humpback feeding techniques like trap feeding and flick feeding


    Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

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    21 mins
  • Episode 3: Whale Communication & Orca Shenanigans
    Dec 9 2024

    Welcome to Episode 3 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they delve into the fascinating world of whale communication and the playful antics of orcas. This episode explores how baleen whales use low-frequency calls to communicate across vast ocean distances and compares their methods to the echolocation of toothed whales like orcas. We also dive into some entertaining stories about orca behaviours, from interacting with gray whales to their mischievous encounters with crab pots. Whether you’re a marine biology enthusiast or just love a good whale tale, this episode has something for everyone.

    Topics Include:

    • How baleen whales use low-frequency calls to communicate over hundreds of kilometres
    • The mechanics of echolocation and how toothed whales "see" with sound
    • Fun and fascinating orca behaviours, from chasing gray whales to playing with crab pots
    • The differences between baleen and toothed whale communication

    Stay tuned for more marine life stories in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊

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    20 mins
  • Episode 2: Race Rocks & the Great Humpback Migration
    Dec 2 2024

    Welcome to Episode 2 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they explore the wonders of British Columbia’s marine ecosystems. In this episode, we focus on the iconic Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, uncovering its incredible biodiversity and the powerful tidal currents that shape it. We also dive into the epic journeys of humpback whales, exploring their migration patterns, the reasons behind their travels, and the fascinating story of their population recovery after near extinction. Whether you're a marine enthusiast or just curious about the underwater world, this episode offers a deep dive into the lives of these magnificent creatures.

    Topics Include:

    • What makes Race Rocks a hotspot for marine life
    • The incredible wildlife you can spot at the reserve
    • The mechanics and importance of tidal upwelling at Race Rocks
    • The breathtaking migrations of humpback whales
    • Why some humpbacks are starting to stay year-round


    Stay tuned for more exciting topics in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at podcast@princeofwhales.com or on Instagram. 🌊


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    17 mins
  • Episode 1: Whale Watching 101
    Nov 20 2024

    Welcome to the debut episode of the Prince of Whales POD-cast! Meet your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon from Prince of Whales; this episode dives into the captivating world of whales and the marine ecosystems of British Columbia’s Salish Sea. Get to know the types of whales you might encounter on tours, learn about their unique behaviours, and hear fascinating insights into their diets and migration patterns. Whether you're an ocean enthusiast or simply a curious listener, this episode is packed with stories, science, and a love for marine conservation.

    Topics Include;

    • Introduction to the Salish Sea’s rich marine ecosystem
    • Types of whales in the region: Baleen vs. Toothed
    • What killer whales eat (and why shark liver is a delicacy)
    • How whales are identified by their markings
    • Where we find whales: Site fidelity and feeding hotspots
    • The magic of humpback breaching and what it might mean


    Stay tuned as we explore new topics in future episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at ⁠podcast@princeofwales.com⁠ or on Instagram.🌊


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    22 mins
  • Prince of Whales PODcast Trailer
    Oct 21 2024

    We’re thrilled to launch our brand new Prince of Whales POD-cast – a short, exciting, and educational series where we dive into fascinating fan questions about whales and the rich marine ecosystem of British Columbia. Each week, in just 10 minutes, our passionate hosts will share their love for these majestic creatures, bringing you closer to the wonders of whales and the incredible world beneath the waves. Whether you're a whale enthusiast or just curious about the sea, join us for a quick chat and discover something new each week!


    Want to ask a question, head to our Instagram page @princeofwhaleswhalewatching or send an email to podcast@princeofwhales.com

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    1 min