Close Encounter Of The Orca Kind

Wednesday, November 9, 2005
RAGLAN, NEW ZEALAND — Ten orca spent a sunny afternoon chasing stingrays around Whaingaroa Harbour yesterday, with delighted kayakers paddling alongside for a closer look.

With two orca swimming straight toward her, Lisa Nicolson - speaking to the Waikato Times on her cellphone - said her partner Guy Toxward even touched one.

When Ms Nicolson heard orca were in the harbour, she picked up daughters Indigo, 4, and Terri, 7, and took to the water.

The family spent about two hours watching a pod of about 10 orca of four cows, four bulls and two calves, with the biggest about 6m long.

While careful to maintain some distance, Ms Nicolson said the orca were playful and curious, often popping out of the water next to their boats.

"They were really curious about people in boats. They certainly haven't tried to rock anyone out of the boat or anything . . . they're just having fun."

The orca swam into Lorenzen Bay before heading back out to the wharf.

Afterwards, Ms Nicolson said getting up close to orca was "a truly amazing experience".

"Especially when two orca came up alongside our kayak and Guy reached down and touched one."

"I admit to feeling slightly apprehensive with these huge dorsal fins coming toward us . . . what a feeling when you see them dive then feel a huge shape passing beneath you."

Stephen Reid of Raglan Eco Kayak Adventures was on the water with partner Candide and son Sky, 3.

They were paddling in the harbour when they found themselves surrounded by a pod of orca.

"We couldn't believe our eyes, there must have been about 12 of them and they seemed to hang around for a good hour munching on stingrays before heading back out to the bar."

It was the second orca encounter for the family after a similar experience last year.

Mr Reid said the adrenalin was rushing as the orca dived under the kayak.

"By far the best day out in the office we've had."

Conservation Department spokesman Des Williams said it was safest to maintain distances of at least 100m if the whales had calves and not try to get closer to the animals, but there was nothing stopping the whales swimming up for a closer look.

Source: The Waikato Times