28-03-2025
OBX orca sighting uncommon, but not unexpected
KITTY HAWK, N.C. (WAVY) — Munching on a delicious tuna, an orca whale was seen making a visit to the Outer Banks, as a Florida-based aerial survey team with Clearwater Marine Aquarium confirmed the killer whale sighting March 13.
It was seen between 30 and 60 miles off the coast of Kitty Hawk. That might seem like a hike, but it's closer to land than a typical orca sighting. Marina Doshkov, a mammal stranding coordinator with Jennette's Pier, said it is not common, but it is also not unexpected.
'Once in a blue moon thing, we do see them here, they're not complete strangers,' Doshkov said. 'It's really cool to see them and get another confirmed sighting.'
Orcas are all over the world, especially prevalent in the Pacific Northwest. Doschkov said the last time they had a confirmed sighting in the Outer Banks was in 2008.
The Clearwater surveyors are the real deal, frequently working with Jennette's Pier staff on these sightings. This is unlike what happened in 2024, when they debunked a killer whale sighting reported by an Outer Banks beach-goer. The picture that person used actually came from a roughly 20-year-old Powerade commercial. It is part of why they always work diligently to confirm these reports when they come through.
'We do have some really special IT people who can look at sources of photos for us and track photos,' Doshkov said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
