Two distinct populations of killer whales have been identified in the Canadian Arctic as climate change melts sea ice, prompting concerns about potential impacts on the local ecosystem.
Killer whales are expanding their territory and have moved into Arctic waters as climate change melts sea ice, with two genetically distinct populations being identified by Canadian scientists. But their study says that could have 'severe consequences' for potential prey whales such as belugas, narwhals and bowheads, that lead researcher Colin Garroway called 'slow, chubby and delicious.
' Garroway, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Manitoba, said in an interview that the situation was complex — the Arctic orcas have the potential to upend ecosystems as apex predators, even as they merit conservation concern. The study says the orcas could also affect humans, by 'adding top-down pressure on Arctic food webs crucial to northern communities' social and economic well-being.' It says killer whales in the eastern Canadian Arctic have been observed preying mostly on beluga whales and narwhals, followed by bowhead whales and seals. 'We think there's going to be a big change in the community structure and how these different creatures interact,' said Garroway. The study says the Arctic is the fast-warming region on the planet, and as sea ice retreats, its waters are opening to traditionally sub-Arctic species such as killer whales. Garroway said killer whales were once thought infrequent Arctic visitors, since they risked breaking their famous dorsal fins on ice. But sightings have become more frequent. Garroway said researchers took tissue samples from the orcas' and we were super surprised that there are actually two highly distinct populations.' 'I was like — I didn't believe it, and then I dug in and dug in and … it's all pretty straightforward stuff to do when you have the data. And, sure enough, there were two distinct populations,' said Garroway, adding that they numbered in the hundred
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