A solitary orca cherished by locals, tourists, and guides has returned to the Bay of Fundy this year, as he has done for two decades, though sightings of him are infrequent. David Matthews, residing in East Ferry, N.S., has seen the orca, known as Old Thom locally, on four occasions in recent years. He expressed that observing the elegant dorsal fin of Old Thom gliding through the water never fails to impress. Matthews had the opportunity to spot Old Thom on September 4 this year during a whale-watching excursion, describing the encounter as breathtaking.
Orcas, commonly referred to as killer whales, are recognized by their distinctive black and white markings and tall dorsal fins. When Matthews saw Old Thom this summer, he noted that the orca was accompanied by around 100 dolphins. Amanda Crocker, a guide at Freeport Whale & Seabird Tours, mentioned that while whale watchers typically anticipate sightings of humpback, minke, and finback whales, the presence of an orca in the bay usually takes them by surprise.
For Crystal Richard of Dieppe, meeting Old Thom last summer was a dream come true. She humorously stated that August 6 holds the title of the best day of her life, being both her wedding day and the day she finally encountered Old Thom. Richard shared a video of Old Thom near Grand Manan on her TikTok account named eastcoastmermaid, which garnered 28,000 likes. She expressed her awe at witnessing an orca in its natural habitat, emphasizing the rarity and luck associated with such an encounter.
According to Crocker, based on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy, sightings of Old Thom on the water are infrequent despite significant interest. She highlighted the unique features of Old Thom, including his distinct dorsal fin and dual dietary habits resembling both resident and transient orcas. Crocker speculated that Old Thom’s affinity for dolphins might stem from being separated from his pod at a young age, dubbing him as a “lost soul.”
Andrew Westgate, a scientist at the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station, shared insights on Old Thom’s background, suggesting that the orca may have been separated from his mother as a calf. Westgate mentioned sightings of Old Thom in various locations, indicating a probable mature age for the orca. Notably, Westgate recalled only one other encounter with an orca in the area over his 35-year tenure, emphasizing the exceptional nature of Old Thom’s appearances. Despite being known as the solitary orca, Westgate noted that Old Thom’s association with a family of dolphins challenges the notion of him being a true loner.