Prince of Whales PODcast

Welcome to the final episode of Season 1 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Before we head out for a summer of whale watching and bring you our Breaching News on CHEK TV, we’re closing the season with a dive into the mysterious world of ocean legends. From krakens to mermaids to the mighty megalodon, we explore the myths, the facts, and the creatures that may have inspired them.

Topics Include:

(0:32) Kraken folklore from Scandinavia to Haida Gwaii — and real-life giant squid(4:39) Mermaids vs. sirens: global myths, mistaken identities, and ancient sea nymphs(8:33) Caddy the Cadborosaurus and BC’s own sea serpent sightings(12:04) Oarfish: the eerie “doomsday fish” linked to natural disasters(13:43) Megalodon: the prehistoric mega-shark that ruled the seas

Thanks for joining us this season! We’ll be back in the fall for Season 2. Until then, catch us Saturdays at 5 on CHEK News and follow along at @princeofwhaleswhalewatching . We’ll see you on the water!

Welcome to Episode 21 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we dive into the world of pinnipeds—our local seals and sea lions—and explore some of their remarkable cousins across the globe. From “rock sausages” to deep-diving elephant seals and tusked Arctic giants, this episode is packed with fascinating facts and unexpected behaviours!

Topics Include:

(0:26) The four species of pinnipeds found in B.C.—harbour seals, northern elephant seals, Steller sea lions, and California sea lions(1:04) How to identify each species and where to spot them(3:03) Deep-dive stats: elephant seals can dive 2,000 metres and hold their breath for two hours!(4:45) Seal vs. sea lion—ear flaps, flipper tricks, and the art of "galumphing"(8:48) Pinnipeds around the world—leopard seals in Antarctica and walruses in the Arctic

Whether you're watching sea lions haul out at Race Rocks or dreaming of leopard seals in the Antarctic, this episode is your one-stop shop for pinniped knowledge.

Questions or favourite pinniped facts? Send them to [email protected] or message us on Instagram. Make sure to tune in next week for the last episode of the Prince of Whales PODcast Season 1 as we take a break during our busy whale watching summer months!

Welcome to Episode 20 of the Prince of Whales Podcast! In this continuation of last week’s deep dive into orca ecotypes, we head to the Southern Hemisphere to explore New Zealand’s stingray-hunting orcas. These clever predators use techniques like tonic immobility and tail targeting to disable their prey, and their unique behaviours are just the beginning!

Topics Include:

(1:24) Stingray Hunters of New Zealand – Discover how orcas in the Bay of Islands flip stingrays into tonic immobility and use specialized hunting techniques passed through generations.

(4:02) Pickle & Funky Monkey – Meet two standout orcas from the South Pacific, known for their unique dorsal fins and close sibling bond.

(5:03) Dog Meets Orca – Hear the heartwarming true story of a transient killer whale who formed an unlikely friendship with a golden retriever off Vancouver Island

(5:59) Remembering T-44 – Learn about the legacy of T-44, a BC orca remembered for his curiosity, and his posthumous role in education at the Whale Interpretive Centre.

(6:47) Luna vs. Sam – A powerful contrast between two human-orca interactions: the tragic tale of Luna, and the successful rescue and reintegration of Sam (T46C2).

Tune in next week for a new episode of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Have a question or your own favorite orca fact? Send it to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or drop us a message on Instagram. 🐋

Welcome to Episode 19 of the Prince of Whales Podcast! This week, we begin a two-part journey into the amazing world of orcas and their unique behaviors from across the globe. From the stormy Southern Ocean to the icy shores of Argentina and the busy waters off Spain, this episode explores how orcas showcase their culture, adaptability, and extraordinary intelligence.

Topics Include:
(0:39) Overview of global orca ecotypes – from the Ross Sea to the Falklands

(2:19) Why some southern orcas have a yellow colouration – and what causes it

(4:44) The mysterious Type D orca with the squished face and tiny eyepatch

(5:35) Beach-hunting orcas of Argentina and their family traditions

(8:36) Iberian orcas attacking boats: trauma, play, or protest?

(13:50) Type B orcas and their coordinate wave-hunting!

We’re only getting started. Tune in next week for Part 2, where we’ll explore more hunting strategies and incredible stories from the killer whales around the world!

Have a question or your own favorite orca fact? Send it to us at [email protected] or drop us a message on Instagram. 🐋

Welcome to Episode 18 of the Prince of Wales podcast! This week, we dive into the colourful world of sea stars, one of the most iconic and ecologically important creatures in the Salish Sea. From their fascinating biology and regenerative powers to their recent decline due to sea star wasting disease, we explore everything you need to know about these incredible echinoderms.

(0:36) What species of sea stars live in the Salish Sea
(3:04) How sea stars eat—and digest their food outside their bodies
(5:26) Regeneration: how sea stars regrow arms and central discs
(11:03) The impact of sea star wasting disease and the decline of sunflower stars
(15:55) Why sea stars are so brightly coloured (hint: it’s not just for looks)

Sea stars are more than just tide pool treasures—they're apex predators, ecosystem engineers, and a key indicator of ocean health. This episode takes a closer look at their remarkable abilities and the conservation challenges they face.

Don’t forget to subscribe, and send us your questions at [email protected] or on Instagram. See you next week for Episode 19! ⭐️🌊

Welcome to Episode 17 of the Prince of Wales podcast! This week, we’re diving into one of the most dynamic and extreme environments on the planet—the intertidal zone. This unique ecosystem, where land and sea collide, is home to some of the most resilient and fascinating creatures on the coast of British Columbia.

(0:39) What is the intertidal zone, and why is it so important?
(3:21) Why is the intertidal zone considered one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth?
(4:45) What are some of the most common animals you’ll find here?(6:21) The extreme challenges of living in the intertidal zone
(9:13) Adaptations: How creatures protect themselves from predators and the elements(13:01) Our favorite intertidal creatures

The intertidal zone is teeming with life, from barnacles that seal themselves off to survive low tide to sea slugs that steal the defences of their prey. Whether you love tide pooling, marine biology, or just learning about ocean ecosystems, this episode is full of fun facts about an often-overlooked but crucial part of the marine world.

Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at [email protected] or on Instagram. See you next week for Episode 18! 🌊🐚

Welcome to Episode 16 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we’re continuing our conversation with Mark Malleson, a Zodiac skipper with nearly three decades of experience on the Salish Sea. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Episode 15 for the first half of this incredible interview.

• (0:44) Mark’s most cherished experiences from 28 years on the water
• (1:40) Encountering offshore killer whales in the Salish Sea
• (4:10) The rarest species Mark has ever seen in these waters
• (8:00) The challenges of tracking killer whales and collaborating with researchers
• (9:07) Biggest threats to whales and what we can do to help
• (12:02) How whale-watching regulations have changed over the years
• (15:20) Mark’s most memorable encounter in the last five years

Mark’s career has given him a front-row seat to history, and his stories are nothing short of amazing. We’re so grateful for the time he spent with us—maybe we’ll have to bring him back again!

Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at [email protected] or on Instagram. See you next week for Episode 17! 🐋✨

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we have a very special guest—Mark Malleson, a Zodiac skipper with nearly 28 years of experience at Prince of Wales. Mark has spent thousands of hours on the water and works with the Center for Whale Research on annual orca population surveys. He’s sharing his incredible stories, insights on the changes in the Salish Sea, and what it’s like to dedicate a life to whales.

• (0:34) How Mark became one of the most experienced whale watchers on the coast
• (2:33) Witnessing 70-80 orcas in one unforgettable moment
• (3:42) Over 8,000 trips and the biggest changes in the Salish Sea
• (4:47) The incredible return of humpbacks—and what it means for the ecosystem
• (6:15) Why Bigg’s Killer Whales are thriving while Southern Residents struggle
• (9:04) Advice for anyone wanting to work in whale watching or marine research
• (12:35) Surprising patterns and discoveries from 30 years on the water

Mark has so many stories that we couldn’t fit it all in one episode! Stay tuned for Part 2 in Episode 16, which is coming next week. Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at [email protected] or on Instagram. 🐋✨

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Last week, we packed an entire episode with fascinating facts about the Salish Sea’s wildlife—and we still had more to share! Part 2 of our fun fact special covers everything from the world's oldest orca to how salmon smell their way home and even whale vomit worth more than gold. If you haven’t checked out Part 1 yet, go back and listen, then jump right into this episode for even more surprises!Topics Include:

• (0:51) Ocean Sun, the world’s oldest living wild orca, may be 97 years old!
• (1:40) Granny the orca: was she really 105 years old?
• (4:31) Which animals in the Salish Sea can live for over 100 years?
• (5:40) Salmon use their sense of smell to find their birth rivers!
• (6:47) Humpback whales may navigate using bacteria that detect magnetic fields
• (7:59) Herring were once called "candlefish"—and they could actually be burned like candles!
• (9:08) The lost herring spawn of Victoria’s Gorge Waterway—what happened?

This episode is packed with wild facts you’ll want to share. Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at [email protected] or on Instagram. 🐋✨

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we’re switching things up—no questions, just rapid-fire fun facts about the incredible creatures of the Salish Sea! Over the past 12 episodes, we've uncovered some mind-blowing animal facts, and now we’re sharing the best of them with you. From whale earwax that tells their life story to octopus blood that turns them blue, and sea cucumbers that eject their organs—this episode is packed with surprises.

Get ready to impress your friends with some of the weirdest and wildest animal facts from the deep!

Stay tuned for part two of this episode next Monday. Don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or on Instagram. 🐋🔬