Observations of Killer Whales, Orcinus orca in western Alaska: sightings, strandings, and predation on other marine mammals

Recent observations confirm that Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) occur off the coast of western Alaska from at least Bristol Bay to north of Point Barrow.They have been seen in drifting ice in spring and in open water during summer.Three strandings involving 10 animals that occurred in 1982-1984 in the area from Nunivak Island to Norton Sound are described.Observations of Killer Whales chasing a Minke Whale ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata) aground in Unalaska Bay, and of Killer Whales eating a Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) in the Chukchi Sea are reported.The marine mammal prey of Killer Whales in the area include Gray Whales, Minke Whales, Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus), Beluga Whales ( Delphinapterus leucas), and seals (Phocidae).