Latest news with #OldThom
CBS News
12-08-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Orca known as "Old Thom" seen in rare killer whale sighting off Massachusetts coast
Old Thom has been spotted again. A lone killer whale was seen this weekend in a rare orca sighting off the coast of Massachusetts. Donna Piraino was fishing for tuna Sunday afternoon in the Stellwagen Bank marine sanctuary, about 14 miles southeast of Gloucester. She captured video of a giant killer whale swimming among a pod of dolphins. Piraino told WBZ-TV it was an "amazing experience." "There he is, it's an orca!" she can be heard saying on video. "That's crazy." The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy confirmed it was a sighting of Old Thom, the only orca regularly seen in North Atlantic waters. The New England Aquarium says the large male killer whale, recognizable by an indent on his tall dorsal fin, is known to swim alone or with dolphins even though orcas typically travel in pods. "Any sighting of an orca in the Gulf of Maine is rare and very exciting," the aquarium's website says. "Lots of researchers, fishermen, and boaters who spend most of their lives on the water in New England have never seen an orca." Old Thom was also spotted last summer about 7 miles off Chatham. Seeing a killer whale in New England waters is "always unusual," an aquarium scientist previously told WBZ-TV. Their population is believed to be very small in western North Atlantic waters. In 2023, four killer whales were seen swimming 40 miles south of Nantucket during an aquarium aerial survey. Killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family and wildlife experts say they typically work as a team to catch their prey.
Miami Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
7 times sea creature sightings left onlookers amazed. Take a look at the stories
National 7 times sea creature sightings left onlookers amazed. Take a look at the stories Sea creatures continue to stun people around the world. A sailboat crew in Canada filmed killer whales swimming alongside them, while in California, onlookers watched baby orcas play and practice hunting. The famous orca 'Old Thom' made a rare visit off Massachusetts, recognized by his distinct fin. Take a look at the stories below. An endangered North Atlantic right whale and her baby were documented off the coast of Virginia June 1, researchers say. The baby is the mom's third calf. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 1: GIANT ENDANGERED SEA CREATURE SPOTTED OFF VIRGINIA COAST — WITH A BABY. SEE THEM With fewer than 400 left in the wild, the species is 'approaching extinction,' researchers say. | Published June 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd Old Thom is the only orca that has been seen repeatedly by experts in North Atlantic waters. Screengrab from Facebook video by Taylor Grai NO. 2: WATCH FAMOUS ORCA 'OLD THOM' MAKE RARE APPEARANCE OFF MASSACHUSETTS COAST The lone bull is known for his solo wandering in the North Atlantic. | Published June 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Daye A group of orcas recently surfaced alongside a sailboat during a race off the coast of Canada, video shows. Photo from Bill Pennell, UnSplash NO. 3: KILLER WHALES CLOSELY FOLLOW SAILBOAT DURING RACE OFF CANADA. SEE 'INCREDIBLE FOOTAGE' The experience was 'a little nerve wracking,' according to the sailing organization. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brendan Rascius Two baby orcas were seen practicing their hunting skills on a bird in California, a whale watching group said. Morgan Quimby Screengrab from @Monterey_bay_whale_watch on Instagram NO. 4: BABY KILLER WHALES SEEN 'HAVING FUN' WHILE PRACTICING HUNTING OFF CALIFORNIA. SEE IT This pod created a 'fantastic' encounter for viewers. | Published October 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Paloma Chavez Two pairs of female North American right whales and calves were spotted near north Florida Dec. 30, the FWC said. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 5: ENDANGERED WHALES — ONE A FIRST-TIME MOM — SPOTTED WITH CALVES OFF FLORIDA. SEE THEM Fewer than 400 remain in the wild, biologists estimate. | Published January 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd A 'rare' humpback whale was recently spotted in the English Channel, photos show. Photo from Laura Lezman, UnSplash NO. 6: MIGRATING SEA CREATURE MAKES 'RARE' APPEARANCE OFF THE COAST OF ENGLAND, PHOTOS SHOW It was photographed leaping out of the water off the coast of Hastings. | Published January 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brendan Rascius The whale watching group was started by survivors of the Lahaina Fire. Screengrab from Captian Chrissy's Instagram NO. 7: WATCH AS A GOLDEN RETRIEVER MEETS A WHALE OFF HAWAII. 'HER WISH CAME TRUE' 'She loves whales more than anyone I know' | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
