Killer whales in Chilean Patagonia: additional sightings, behavioural observations, and individual identifications

Very little is known about the killer whales (Orcinus orca) that frequent the waters of Chilean Patagonia. Even information as to whether identified individuals are visitors or residents of the region is unknown. Here, we report on opportunistically collected observations in this region from 2001 th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Häussermann, Verena, Acevedo, Jorge, Försterra, Günter, Bailey, Michelle, Aguayo-Lobo, Anelio
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2013
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Online Access:https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/oaiart?codigo=5234699
Description
Summary:Very little is known about the killer whales (Orcinus orca) that frequent the waters of Chilean Patagonia. Even information as to whether identified individuals are visitors or residents of the region is unknown. Here, we report on opportunistically collected observations in this region from 2001 through 2012. Killer whales were observed on 119 separate occasions in group sizes ranging from one to groups of over 50 individuals. We also describe observed behaviour and present a first catalogue of individuals in Chilean Patagonia. We identified 49 individuals, only seven of which were sighted more than once. Se conoce muy poco sobre las orcas (Orcinus orca) que frecuentan las aguas de la Patagonia chilena y si los individuos identificados son visitantes o residentes. Se informan 119 observaciones oportunistas recolectadas desde 2001 hasta 2012. Los tamaños de los grupos avistados varían desde un animal hasta tamaños grupales de más de 50 individuos. También se informa sobre el comportamiento observado y se presenta un primer catálogo de individuos para la Patagonia chilena, identificándose 49 individuos, de las cuales 7 han sido observados en más de una ocasión.