A new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) has found that more transient killer whales are spending extended periods in the waters surrounding Vancouver, signaling a positive trend for marine conservation efforts.

The study, published in Marine Mammal Science, shows that West Coast transient killer whales, also known as Bigg’s killer whales, are now present in the inland waters around Vancouver Island for an average of 250 days each year.

Researchers discovered that approximately 70 per cent of the coastal population of these whales regularly uses the Salish Sea, a vast inland marine ecosystem stretching from Campbell River in British Columbia to Olympia in Washington State.

Scientists attribute the increase in whale sightings to several factors, including seasonal migration patterns, improved food availability, and decades of conservation measures aimed at protecting marine habitats and prey species.

The Salish Sea has become an especially important feeding ground for transient killer whales, prompting researchers to describe it as the species’ “most critical” feeding habitat. One researcher likened the region’s significance to that of the Serengeti, emphasizing its role as a thriving ecosystem supporting a diverse range of marine life.

The findings highlight the importance of continued conservation efforts to maintain healthy marine environments and ensure that transient killer whales can continue to thrive in the waters off Canada’s west coast.