Thar She Blows! Whales Spotted in Point Pleasant Canal

Taking a shortcut to get someplace is a smart thing to do. A shortcut lets you get where you're going more quickly and with less effort. So it comes as no surprise that the smartest mammals in the sea have figured out how to use a manmade shortcut. Whales, specifically Killer Whales, or Orcas, have been seen using the Point Pleasant Canal to avoid swimming longer distances at sea.

Dr. Gillian Taylor of the Cetacean Institute in San Diego has come to Point Pleasant to observe the phenomenon. "Until recently, I had been studying two humpback whales almost exclusively. I thought that was my future, but after a while I really wanted to focus more on Killer Whales, or Orcinus Orca, to be precise. When I heard about what was happening here in Point Pleasant, I had to come."

Dr. Taylor has been working with state police Chief Martin Brody. "It's been interesting working with the Doctor. When she first showed up with all her equipment all I could think was, 'we're gonna need a bigger boat,'" he says with a laugh. "But after a few days working with her following the whales, she's become my chum."

Chief Brody said that locals first noticed the whales going through the canal last year. "We got calls from a number of people who saw them. There was less boat traffic than usual last year, so the whales probably weren't afraid to try using the canal. As the summer went by, they were using it more and more."

The explanation seems reasonable to Dr. Taylor. "In the course of looking for prey, the Orcas probably discovered the canal and found how useful it was for getting around. The first group would be able to spread the word to other pods and suddenly you've got a new whale passage."

What Chief Brody has found most interesting is how well the whales adhere to the rules of the canal. "Late last summer, as there started to be more boats on the canal, we watched in amazement as the whales would keep in line with the boat traffic. They would never try to pass, or go on the wrong side of the canal. They were better behaved than a lot of humans."

Dr. Taylor says that people often underestimate the intelligence of whales. "Killer whales are incredibly smart. They learn quickly, have excellent memories, and work well together. The Point Pleasant Orcas seem to be even more intelligent and adaptable than most killer whales."

Chief Brody agrees with Taylor's assessment of the whales. "These guys are special. Sometimes they poke their heads up and seem to smile at the boaters. Two guys told me they followed a couple of Orcas out to sea where the whales rounded up a bunch of fish. The whales then flipped some fish into the guys' boat with their tails. So when the whales got close enough to their boat they poured a few beers in their mouths. They claim the Orcas seemed to like it."

Dr. Taylor plans on studying the whales for the next few months. She is curious to see how they deal with increased boat traffic and other distractions that will come in the summer. Dr. Taylor says she already spoke with a local woman who frequently uses a zip-line to get across the canal and the woman said she's seen the whales a few times and they always stop and wait for her to cross before moving on. "The woman claims that the whales even seem to wave to her, so she always waves back. Apparently Point Pleasant has some very smart and polite Killer Whales," said Dr. Taylor.

"I want to remind everyone that these whales are not dangerous if they are left alone," said Dr. Taylor. "They may be killers of the sea, but if not bothered, they won't harm humans and will hardly ever eat one."