Orca Research Trust

BBC to air documentary

Tail-lobbing

An upside-down adult male orca hits his tail on the water surface

Surfing Orca

An orca surfs in the wake of the orca research boat

Sunset, Bay of Islands

An adult male and a juvenile orca frolic at sunset

Orca with Ray in Mouth

An orca holds a ray upside down in its mouth, in Whangarei Harbour

Morgan

Looking out from her barren & tiny tank.  She needs our help so she can return to her family.

Orca & Research Boat

New Zealand orca will often approach the research vessel, at times bringing their young with them.

Photo: Andy Light

Eye to Eye

Dr Visser enters the world of the orca to observe them – this sub-adult male lies next to her watching her click her fingers – who is watching who?

Photo: Brad Tate

Rakey-Cousteau

Dr Ingrid Visser cups water over the orca known as Rakey-Cousteau who was rescued after washing up on a stormy beach.

Photo: Carrie Vonderhaar, Ocean Futures Society

Swimming with orca

Dr Ingrid Visser swims with orca in the wild to better understand their hunting behaviours.

Photo: Steve Hathaway

Nobby goes free

Dr Ingrid Visser guides in a digger bucket to make a channel for Nobby the orca to go free.

Photo: Jo Wixey

Calming youngster

Dr Ingrid Visser calms a young orca who became stranded in the Bay of Islands.  Requiring only a little help it was soon swimming with its mother.

Orca Antarctica

The Orca Research Trust also conducts research in Antarctica.

New Zealand Orca

The orca of New Zealand are known for hunting in shallow waters along the coastline.  If you sight any please call 0800 SEE ORCA (733 6722)

Rescuing “Rudie”

“Rudie” an adult male orca stranded in 2004 and has been regularly resighted since his rescue.

Photo: Mike Cunningham, Northern Advocate