Our neighbors to the north got an extra special treat this week. Hundreds of Pacific white-sided dolphins were encountered between Galiano Island and Tsawwssen in British Columbia waters. Pacific white-sided dolphins, also called "Lags" (a shorten version of their Latin name, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) is a smaller cetacean and weighs in between 300 & 400 pound with lengths up to 8 feet. There was an estimated 1000 Pacific white-sided dolphins traveling in this pod. See the video hereÂ
Pacific white-sided dolphin appearances in the Salish Sea are not uncommon this time of year. Last year (November 2012), an estimated 400 Pacific white-sided dolphins traveled through San Juan Channel, right past Friday Harbor. The same day, a smaller pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins made their way into East Sound, Orcas Island. See the SeaDoc Society's video of the dolphins here.
Pacific white-sided dolphins are most well known for their curiosity & playfulness!
Pacific white-sided dolphin. Photo by J. Gaydos, SeaDoc Society
Brittany Office & Reservations Manager San Juan Safaris