AquaticMammals 2003, 29.1, 150–172

New observationsand areviewof killer whale ( Orcinusorca ) sightingsin Papua New Guinea waters

IngridN. Visser 1 andFrank J. Bonoccorso 2

1OrcaResearch Trust, P.O.Box 1233, Whangarei, New Zealand 2NationalMuseum & Art Gallery,P.O. Box 5560, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea

Abstract Keywords: Killer whale, Orcinusorca , Papua New Guinea,photo-identiŽ cation, foraging, elasmo- Althoughtypically considered a temperateto cold branches,Ž n-Žsh. waterspecies, killer whales (or orca) ( Orcinusorca ) havebeen reported intermittently in tropical waters. Introduction Whilethe IUCN (IUCN, 2000) does not list the speciesas present in Papua New Guinea waters, Thestatus of Papua New Guinea cetaceans is therecords presented here indicate it is found in largelyunknown. The only systematic study of thearea for at least 10 months of theyear. A total species,or individuals within a species,was con- of94 sightings of killer whales in Papua New ductedin 2001, targeting sperm whales ( Physeter Guineawaters were complied. Thirty-seven sight- macrocephalus )(Bonoccorso,unpublished data). ingsfrom April 1987 to July 2002 were recorded Munday(1994) compiled anecdotal information on withan exact date and location, with a further57 cetaceansin the Kimbe Bay area (New Britain sightingsof unknown date or exact location. Island,Papua New Guinea) for a ‘RapidEcological Twenty-sevenof allrecords had either photographs Assessment’and noted that Orcinusorca had been orvideotape to conŽ rm species identiŽ cation. The observed.However, only approximate timings of earliestreference to killerwhales in this region was sightingsby month or year were given, and only from1956, when they were recorded taking Ž sho V generallocations were stated. In addition,although long-lines.Killer whales from Papua New Guinea killerwhales were listed as ‘ uncommon’, noquan- watershave been observed feeding on four species tiŽcation was given for this classiŽ cation (Munday, ofelasmobranchs (scalloped-hammerhea dshark, 1994).Although the IUCN RedData List (IUCN, Sphyrnalewini ;greyreef shark, Carcharhinus 2000)does not list killer whales as presentin Papua amblyrhynchos ; manta ray, Mantabirostris; and NewGuinean waters, they are known to occur blue-spottedray Dasyatiskuhlii )andfour species intermittentlyin the area (Cousteau & Richards, ofŽ n-Žsh (yellow-Ž n tuna, Thunnusalbacares ; big- 1989;Munday, 1994). eye tuna, Thunnusobesus ;Indo-PaciŽc sailŽsh, Therefore,following Aragones et al.(1997),who Istiophorusplatypterus; and sunŽ sh, Mola mola). suggestan order of procedures for cetacean Theseare the Ž rstrecords, worldwide, of killer researchin developing countries (i.e., interviews whalesfeeding on scalloped-hammerhead sharks, followedby actual surveys), a preliminaryKimbe greyreef sharks and blue-spotted rays. Killer BayCetacean Research Project was instigated in whalesin these waters have been reported in associ- April2002. Over a 13-dayperiod, six species were ationwith two species of cetaceans (sperm whales, recorded,including killer whales (Visser, 2002 a). Physetermacrocephalus andspinner dolphins, Detailsfrom that survey, along with other records Stenellalongirostris ).Photo-identiŽcation images ofthe species in Papua New Guinea waters are werecollected for 14 individuals and a catalogue presentedhere. established.Matches were made for two animals— a femalesighted approximately 30 nmiandtwo days apartand a sub-adultmale sighted in the same Materialsand Methods region16 months apart. Some individual killer whalesfrom these waters have been observed with Recordsand anecdotal sightings greyunder- ukes, in contrast to white, which is Forthis paper, scientiŽ c manuscripts,newspapers, typicallydescribed for this species. divemagazines, books, unpublished newsletters, the

? 2003 EAAM Killerwhale sightings near Papua New Guinea 151

‘Internet’, anecdotalsightings, and unpublished PapuaNew Guinea waters, i.e., PNG1, PNG2, datawere sourced for details of killer whale sight- PNG3etc. This catalogue was compared to the ings.Records were divided into two types, ‘ com- nearestgeographic population of killer whales for plete’and ‘ data-deŽcient’ . For‘ complete’records whichan identiŽ cation catalogue is held, i.e., New anexact date and an exact location was known Zealand. (Table1, Figure 1), whereas for ‘ data-deŽcient’ recordsonly a monthor year was known, or no Age/sexclassiŽ cation dateat all,and an exactlocation may not havebeen Photo-identiŽed killer whales were grouped by known.Because uncertainty in dates could result in ageand sex, following Bigg (1982) and Bigg confusion,or replication of sightings without dates, et al.(1990).These groupings were; ‘ adultmale’ ; ‘data-deŽcient’ records were listed in a separate ‘sub-adultmale’ ; ‘female’; ‘juvenile’; ‘calf’; and table(Table 2, Figure 2). ‘unidentiŽed’ . Althoughspecies identiŽ cation may be uncertain whensuggested by non-specialists, killer whales are Results consideredone of the easiest species of marine mammalto identify at sea based on their size, ‘Complete’and ‘ data-deŽcient’ sightings postocularwhite patch, and the large dorsal Ninety-foursightings of killerwhales in Papua New Žnson males (Heyning & Dahlheim,1988). In Guineawaters were complied. Twenty-seven of all addition,many observations recorded here were recordshad either photographs or videotape to accompaniedby photographs or videotape, or the conŽrm species identiŽ cation. Table 1 liststhose observerhad multiple encounters with the species sightingswhere exact date and location were e.g.,M. Benjaminand T. Peluso(Table 1). known.Of these‘ complete’killer whale sightings (n=37),56.7% come from the Kimbe Bay area Photo-identiŽcation (WestNew Britain Island). Photo-identiŽcation uses photographs to record Table2 lists‘ data-deŽcient’ sightings ( n=57), for individualcongenital and/ oracquiredidentiŽ cation whichexact dates or precise locations could not be marks(Hammond et al.,1990).For killer whales, established.To enable future researchers access to everyindividual can be uniquely identiŽ ed from dataand clarity of the records, all known ‘ data- high-qualityphotographs (Baird, 2000). The dorsal deŽcient’ records are listed here. However, it is Žnisthe main feature photographed because it is possiblethat some records in Table 2 areduplicates, exposedabove water most often (Bigg, 1982). Some e.g.,sighting No. 10(Table 1) and sighting No. 19 killerwhale research projects use photographs of (Table2) both record killer whales at Bradford onlyone side of the dorsal Ž n,e.g., in the PaciŽ c Shoal,Kimbe Bay in 1994, and both record forag- NorthWest (Ford & Ellis,1999; Ford et al., 1994) ingon a shark,yet these sightings cannot con- andNorway (T. Similä , pers.comm.). However, clusivelybe shown to be either the same nor whereverpossible during this study, both sides of diVerentevents. thekiller whales were photographed, as pigmenta- tionpatterns can di Verconsiderably on eachside of Sightingsby month and year ananimal (Leatherwood et al.,1984;Visser & Recordsfrom Table 1 and2 (‘complete’and ‘ data- Mäkelä inen, 2000) and a recordof both sides deŽcient’ ) wereplotted by month, where known couldimprove the chances of subsequent matches. (n=52)(Fig. 3). The most sightings were recorded Moreover,this allows photographs from the public in April (n=15),followed by July( n=8).There were (whichmay be takenof eitherside of ananimal)to nosightings recorded for Januaryor February(Fig. bematched (Visser & Mäkelä inen, 2000). 3).For a 15year period (1987– 2002) killer whales Killerwhales can also be photo-identiŽ ed bytheir havebeen sighted each year (with the exception of distinctivesaddle patches (Baird & Stacey,1988; 1989and 1990— Table 1). Bigg,1982), eye patches (Visser & Mäkelä inen, 2000),pigmentation patterns on the underside of Photo-identiŽcation thetail (Visser, 2000 b),malformations(Berghan & All killerwhales photographed in Papua New Visser,2000), scars from propellers (Visser, 1999 b; Guinea,with high quality images, were identiŽ able. Visser& Fertl,2000) and other scars such as teeth ThePapua New Guinea killer whale photo- rakemarks (Baird, 2000; Visser, 1998). Therefore, identiŽcation catalogue is currently comprised of photographs(including underwater images) and dorsalŽ n,saddle-patch, and eye-patch surface videotapeillustrating any unique features were photographsand side-on, full-body and partial- collected. bodyunderwater photographs (catalogue held by Tocatalogue the killer whales, each animal was Visser).From these images, 14 uniqueanimals were assigneda uniqueconsecutive number, preceded by registeredin the catalogue (PNG1– PNG14). Of theletters PNG, signifyingthat it was identiŽ ed in these,two are adult males, three are females, one is 152 Table 1. ‘Complete’ records of sightings of killer whales in Papua New Guinea waters (exact date and location known).

Location/ Source Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging (p.c.=personal Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details communication)

1 23 April 1987 Susan’s Reef, Kimbe Underwater Approximately 15 (1 Spy-hopped and looked M. Benjamin1 p.c. 1600–1730 h Bay, West New Britain photographs adult male, calves) at boat. Swimmers Island entered the water and the 05)17*36+S/150)08*17+E killer whales approached within 15 m. 2 26 June 1988 OV Auna Village, No photographs 3 (1 adult male, 2 Dorsal Ž ns, silhouetted in C. Davis2 & L. at sunset Wuvulu Island, females) the distance. Prezelin3 p.c. Bismark Archipelago 01 44 97 S/142 48 95 E ) * + ) * + I. 2

3 27 June 1988 OV Auna Village, Underwater and 3 (1 adult male, 2 0900 h foraging on a Emerged from deeper, C. Davis & L. N. 0900–1900 h Wuvulu Island, surface videotape females) 2.1 m manta ray. one with a manta ray Prezelin3 & J-M. Bismark Archipelago and underwater 1600 h foraging on upside-down and fully Cousteau4 p.c. Visser 01)44*97+S/142)48*95+E photographs three 2–3 m grey intact in its mouth, which reef sharks. was shaken, ‘torn to pieces’, and eaten. By and 1600 h one female and .F. male killer whale remained. Three grey reef J. sharks were caught and Bonoccorso each held alive and upside-down before being eaten. Both the male and female caught a shark. Circled the island three times. Adult male had ‘bulge’ in front of dorsal Ž n and grey under- ukes. 4 7 July 1988 Less than 1 km oV the No photographs 2 Snorkelled with them. P. Munday5 p.c. SW corner of Wuvulu Island, Bismark Archipelago 01)44*97+S/142)48*95+E 5 19 July 1988 OV Wuvulu Island, No photographs Unknown Observed by people from P. Munday5 p.c. Bismark Archipelago the local villages. 01)44*97+S/142)48*95+E 6 21 July 1988 OV Wuvulu Island, No photographs Unknown Observed by people from P. Munday5 p.c. Bismark Archipelago the local villages. 01)44*97+S/142)48*95+E Table 1. Continued.

Location/ Source Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging (p.c.=personal Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details communication)

7 30 July 1988 OV Wuvulu Island, No photographs Unknown A report from local P. Munday5 p.c. Bismark Archipelago people. 01)44*97+S/142)48*95+E 8 9 April 1991 2 miles oV WPR*, No photographs 3 (2 females, 1 calf) Approached boat. M. Benjamin1 p.c.

0930 h Kimbe Bay, West New Encounter terminated Killer Britain Island after 20 min due to dive 05)26*34+S/150)05*22+E schedule. 9 12 November Restorf Island towards Surface videotape 5 (1 adult male, 1 Adult male with D. Eglitis6 p.c. whale 1991 WPR*, Kimbe Bay, sub-adult male) identiŽ cation feature 0900–1300 h West New Britain (notch) to tip of Ž n. Island sightings 05)17*30+S/150)06*05+E 10 25 May 1994 Bradford Shoals, Underwater 3 (1 female, 1 calf, 1 Foraging on Photograph shows female Skinner (1994) G. Kimbe Bay, West New photograph at unknown) scalloped- killer whale (or Skinner7 p.c. ernear Britain Island WPR* hammerhead shark. non-sprouted male) with 05)09*42+S/150)17*78+E partially consumed shark draped over snout. Many Papua oceanic sharks in the vicinity. 11 24 July 1994 OV WPR*, Kimbe Bay, Underwater 3 (1 adult male, 1 Photograph labelled as T. Peluso8 & M. New West New Britain photograph at female, 1 calf) ‘Tammy’s Orcas’. Benjamin1, p.c. Island WPR* Guinea 05)26*34+S/150)05*22+E 12 3 August Near Restorf Island, Digitally enhanced 4 (1 adult male, 2 Foraging on With the killer whales for Czarny (1994) M. 1994 Navarai Passage, photograph at females and 1 calf) Indo-PaciŽ c sailŽ sh 2 h. A sailŽ sh came up Czarny9 & M. 1500–1700 h Kimbe Bay, West New WPR* which appeared to and hid under the boat. Benjamin1 p.c. Britain Island ‘explode’ when hit. The visibility was poor. 05)19*69+S/150)03*58+E Photograph labelled incorrectly as September 1994. 13 7 April 1995 15 miles out from No photographs 1 (adult male) Attempts made to enter M. Benjamin1 p.c. 1000–1100 h WPR*, Kimbe Bay, the water with the West New Britain animal, but it avoided the Island boat and the divers. 05)26*30+S/150)20*34+E 153 154

Table 1. Continued.

Location/ Source Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging (p.c.=personal Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details communication)

14 10 July 1996 Bradford Shoals, Surface 3 Bow riding. T. Peluso8 p.c. Kimbe Bay, West New photographs Britain Island 05)09*42+S/150)17*80+E 15 3 December Inside First Reef, oV Surface 3 Close approaches to the M. Benjamin1 p.c.

1996 WPR*, Kimbe Bay, photographs boat. Some swimming I.

West New Britain upside-down. N. Island 05)26*34+S/150)05*22+E Visser 16 6 October Christine’s Reef, then No photographs At least 20 Seen in association with T. Peluso8 , M. 1997 towards Restorf Island, approximately 12 sperm Benjamin1 & M. 1200–1430 h Kimbe Bay, West New whales, including calves. Westmorland10 and Britain Island They appeared to be p.c. .F. 05)18*32+S/150)07*35+E hunting the sperm whales. Squid parts J.  oating in the water. Bonoccorso When second boat approached, killer whales split oV from sperm whales and left area rapidly. Underwater photographs of the sperm whales at WPR*. 17 10 July 1998 Bradford Shoals, Underwater 3 Bow riding. One animal T. Peluso8 p.c. Kimbe Bay, West New videotape had grey-under ukes. Britain Island 05)09*419+S/150)17*759+E 18 3 October Bradford Shoals, Underwater 8 (2 adult males, 2 Observed underwater J. Johnson11 p.c. 1998 Kimbe Bay, West New photographs at females, 2 juveniles, from the ‘dolphin-nets’ of Johnson (1999) 1030–1330 h Britain Island WPR* 2 calves) the boat. Males were 05)09*42+S/150)17*76+E separate from main group. Table 1. Continued.

Location/ Source Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging (p.c.=personal Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details communication)

19 19 March Cape Matanalem, New 3 (1 adult male, 1 Female and calf swam H. Mandui & G. 1999 Hanover (Lavongai) female, 1 young directly under the boat, Summerhayes12 Island calf) adult male remained at a p.c. 02)30*43+S/149)57*63+E distance from the boat. Killer Local people report this and other groups to be hl whale residents. 20 6 April 1999 Kasikasi, Normanby No photographs 2 Jumping out of waves in D. Mitchel13 p.c.

Island rough surf conditions. sightings 10)12*43+S/161)03*35+E 21 15 April 1999 OV WPR*, Kimbe Bay, Surface videotape 4–5 Sub-adult male had white T. Peluso8 & P. West New Britain patch on right-hand side Manz14 p.c.

Island of dorsal Ž n. near 05)26*34+S/150)05*22+E 15 22 24 April 1999 SteVen Strait, SW of No photographs 4 (1 adult male, 1 Snorkelled for about E. & D. Amon Papua Kavieng, New Ireland calf & 2 smaller 10 min with them and p.c. Island animals) got as close as 2 m.

02)41*67+S/150)38*79+E They swam away to the New east. 16

23 31 December Vakuta Island, No photographs 6 (1 adult male, 2 Followed the group for R. Pearce p.c. Guinea 1999 1200 h Trobriand Islands females, 3 ‘smaller’ two hours, as they 08)50*0+S/151)20*0+E animals) headed South. On a number of occasions they turned upside down and swam looking up. No distinctive markings were noted on any of the animals. 24 16 April 2000 OV WPR*, Kimbe Bay, 5–6 No further details T. Peluso8 p.c. West New Britain known. Island 05)26*34+S/150)05*22+E 155 156 Table 1. Continued.

Location/ Source Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging (p.c.=personal Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details communication)

25 8 August Susan’s Reef, Kimbe Surface videotape 5 Bow riding. B. Dent17 & T. 2000 Bay, West New Britain Peluso8 p.c. Island 05)17*36+S/150)08*17+E 26 11 September South of Baudisson Surface 4 (1 adult male,2 Male surfaced next to the H. Haddox16 p.c. 2000 1400 h Island SteVen Strait, photographs females, 1 calf) bow and could be SW of Kavieng, New touched. Ireland Island 02)44*88+S/150)38*97+E I. 27 21 December East coast of Kirawina 4–5 Followed them for R. Pearce 14 p.c. N.

2000 0800 h Island, Trobriand approximately 2–3 n mi. Visser Islands Passed under the vessel. 08)38*0+S/151)18*2+E 18 28 12 November Near Restorf Is, Kimbe Underwater 3 (1 sub-adult male, Duckling (WPR* boat), D. Hall p.c. and 2001 Bay, West New Britain photographs 1 female, 1 juvenile) positioned in front of

Island them. Entered the water F.

05)17*30+S/150)06*05+E as they swam past. J.

Animals came within Bonoccorso 5–7 m. Sighted sailŽ sh on the surface right after encounter. Flukes of adult male appear very wide. 29 9 November Between Restorf Island 3–4, then an No further details M. Prior17 p.c. 2001 Early and Big MaluMalu additional 1 sighted known. afternoon Island, Kimbe Bay, later West New Britain Island 05)15*90+S/150)38*97+E 30 8 December Between Katavia and Unknown Could not approach close R. Pearce14 p.c. 2001 1400 h Kirawina Island, enough to establish Trobriand Islands numbers. 08)38*0+S/151)18*2+E 31 19 December East coast of Kirawina Surface 5 Heading south. R. Pearce14 p.c. 2001 Island, Trobriand photographs Approached divers Islands underwater. Adult male 08)380*S/151)18*2+E let small boat approach. Table 1. Continued.

Location/ Source Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging (p.c.=personal Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details communication)

32 20 March Katavia Island, Surface 5 (1 sub-adult male) Animals following edge Visser19 2002 Trobriand Islands photographs of reef approximately 1 n unpublished data 1000–1030 h 08)38*0+S/151)18*2+E mi oVshore in a northerly

direction. Killer 33 13 April 2002 South of Cape Surface 6 (1 adult male, 1 Foraging on a Adult male and one Visser (2002a) 1154–1326 h Heussener, Kimbe Bay, photographs calf) scalloped-hammerhead unidentiŽ ed animal were West New Britain shark. only sighted once. At whale Island 1157 h a female (or 05)01*51+S/150)11*69+E ‘non-sprouted’ male) was sighted with a sightings scalloped-hammerhead shark upside-down, alive, in its mouth. Female with notch in trailing edge of near Ž n. 34 15 April 2002 North of Kimbe Surface 5 (1 female, 1 calf) Heading south towards T. Peluso8 & M. Papua 1320–1400 h Village, West New photographs Bob’s Knob Reef. Benjamin1 p.c. Britain Island Dispersed animals, Visser19 05)29*37+S/150)08*74+E diYcult to approach. unpublished data New At 1440 h, approximately 50 spinner dolphins were Guinea observed high-speed porpoising from the area where the killer whales were last observed. Female with notch in trailing edge of Ž n. 35 16 April 2002 Hanging Gardens Reef, No photographs 3 Heading east towards S. Kaliu20 p.c. 0400 h Kimbe Bay, West New Hoskins airport. Britain Island 05)25*63+S/150)06*12+E 36 8 May 2002 Madang Bay 4 Heading towards Pig L. Collins21 p.c. 1600 h 05)11*49+S/145)48*71+E Island. Avoided boat. 157 158

Table 1. Continued.

Location/ Source Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging (p.c.=personal Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details communication)

37 11 July 2002 Between Restorf Island No photographs 3 Seen by police, on boat J. Loga22 p.c. and Cape Heussener, heading to WPR*. Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Island 05)09*72+S/150)06*45+E .I.

People cited in Table 1 and/or Table 2: N. WPR* Walindi Plantation Resort, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province 05 26.341 S: 150 05.223 E. 1Max Benjamin, Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. Box 4, ) * ) * Visser Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Island, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 2Chuck Davis, Tidal Flats Video Productions, 1215 Surf Avenue, PaciŽ c Grove, CA 93950, United States of America. 3Louis Prezelin, 1281 Ferrelo Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States of America. 4Jean-Michael Cousteau, 5

Ocean Futures Society, 325 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States of America. Phillip Munday, School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, and James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. 6Dale Eglitis, c/-Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua 7 8

New Guinea. GeoV Skinner, 55 Two Bays Crescent, Mt. Martha, Victoria, 3934, Australia. Tammy Peluso, Walindi Photography, Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. F. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 9Michael Czarny, 36 Selwyn Avenue, Elwood, Victoria, 3184, Australia. 10Michele .J. Westmorland, 14128—11th Drive SE, Mill Creek, WA 98012, United States of America. 11Jim Johnson, 1156 Lake Moogerah Rd, Kalbar, Queensland, 4309, Bonoccorso Australia. 12Herman Mandui, PNG National Museum, Port Moresby & Glen R. Summerhayes, Archaeology and Natural History Research School of PaciŽ c and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra ACT, Australia. 13David K Mitchell, Conservation International, P.O. Box 804, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. 14Peter Manz, c/-Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 15Edith & Dietmar Amon, Lissenung Island Resort, P.O. Box 536, Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. 16Rod Pearce, P.O. Box 320, Lae, Papua New Guinea. 17Brian Dent, c/-Tammy Peluso, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 18Holly Haddox, Lissenung Island Resort, P.O. Box 536, Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. 19Maclaren Prior, P.O. Box 767, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 20David Hall, 257 Ohayo Mountain Road, Woodstock, New York 12498, United States of America. 21Ingrid N. Visser, Orca Research Trust, P.O. Box 1233, Whangarei, New Zealand. 22Sebastian Kaliu, c/-Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 23Lorraine Collins, Blue Sea Charters, P.O. Box 494, Madang, Papua New Guinea. 24Joe Loga c/-Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 25Andrew Wright, P.O. Box 240, Apia, Samoa. 26Carl Roessler, Sea Images, Inc. P.O. Box 33668, Las Vegas, Nevada 89133, United States of America. 27Tim Rowland, Jais Aben Resort, Aquaventures PNG Ltd, P.O. Box 166, Madang, Papua New Guinea. 29Bill Gleeson, 205 Fern street, West Hartfort, CT 06119, United States of America. 30JeV Kinch, Conservation International, P.O. Box 804, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. 31Jens Lindstrom, University of Upsala, (via Frank Bonoccorso). 32Mathew Johnson via Mick Zaletel, M.V. FeBrina, c/-Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 33Bernie Leahy, c/-Blue Sea Charters, P.O. Box 494, Madang, Papua New Guinea. 34Max Leiban c/-Divinai Primary School, P.O. Box 33, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. 35Bebega Disilale c/-East Cape Primary School, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. 36Craig De Wit, Dolphin Enterprises Ltd, P.O. Box 1335, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 37Shane Ritchie, c/-Walindi Plantation Resort, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 38Kevin Baldwin via John Miller c/-Dive Centre, Waterfront, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 39Rob van der Loos, Chertan web site, http://www.chertan.com. 40Mark Heighes c/-MV Evening Star ‘Dive Komodo’, Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia. Killerwhale sightings near Papua New Guinea 159

Figure 1. Approximatelocations of ‘ ‘Complete’’ recordsof killerwhale sightings in Papua New Guinea waters (extracted fromTable 1).

asub-adultmale, one is a juvenile,two are typicalwhite under- ukes described as diagnostic calvesand Ž veare unclassiŽ ed into any age or sex forthe species (Heyning & Dahlheim,1988). grouping. Matcheswere made for two animals. One, a Groupsize and composition femalewith a calfwas sighted (13 April 2002) and Groupsize varied from one to approximately 20 photographed(Fig. 4), east of Cape Huessener, individuals,with the group sizes of three ( n=15), KimbeBay (05 )01*51+S/150)11*69+E, sighting of two (n=11),of one ( n=9),and of Ž ve( n=6) No.33, Table 1) andphotographed again two days reportedmost often. Calves were noted 16 times later,to the north of Kimbe Village, (05 )29*37+S/ (Tables1 and2). Adult males were not recorded in 150)08*74+E,sightingNo. 34, Table 1). These allgroups (Tables 1 and2) and four sub-adult locationsare approximately 30 n miapart. A sub- maleswere noted (Tables 1 and2). adultmale with a distinctivewhite mark on the right-sideof the top of the dorsal Ž nwasphoto- Foragingbehaviour and interactions with other graphedin the Kimbe Bay region approximately 16 cetaceans monthsapart; however, exact date and location for Killerwhales in Papua New Guinea waters have theresighting were not available (sighting No. 21, beenobserved foraging on four species of elasmo- Table1 andsighting No. 34, Table 2). branchs:four records of scalloped-hammerhead Two individualswere observed (one in a photo- shark (Sphyrnalewini )(sightingsNo. 10 and No. graph,and the other in avideotape—sighting No. 3 33Table 1, and sightings No. 19and 20 Table 2); andNo. 17, Table 1, respectively)to havelight grey threerecords of grey reef shark ( Carcharhinus under-ukes (Visser, 2002 b)incomparison to the amblyrhynchos )(sightingNo. 3, Table 1); two 160

Table 2. ‘Data-deŽ cient’ records of sightings of killer whales in Papua New Guinea waters (exact date or location not known).

Location/ Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details Source

1 1956–1958 Eastern latitudes near Not stated Not stated Reports of killer No further details stated. Iwashita et al., New Guinea, New whales taking Ž sh 1963 Britain, and Dolak oV long-lines (target species were tuna). 2 1956–1958 Eastern latitudes near Not stated Not stated Reports of killer No further details stated. Iwashita et al., During July New Guinea, New whales taking Ž sh 1963 to December Britain, and Dolak oV long-lines (target species were tuna). .I.

3 September Neighbourhood of 15)S Not stated Not stated Reports of killer ‘‘The southern limit of Iwashita et al., N. 1956 to the south of New whales taking tuna the appearance of 1963 Guinea Island oV long-lines. Orcinus moved to the Visser 15)15*87+S/154)18*57+E (Various species of neighbourhood of 15)S to tuna mentioned, but the south of New Guinea none identiŽ ed in September 1956’’. and speciŽ cally). .F. 4 December Neighbourhood of 19)S Not stated Not stated Reports of killer No further details stated. Iwashita et al., 1958 to the south of New whales taking tuna 1963 J. Guinea Island oV long-lines. Bonoccorso 19)00*0+S/154)32*58+E (Various species of tuna mentioned, but none identiŽ ed speciŽ cally). 5 Prior to 1964 Around New Guinea Not stated Not stated Taking yellow-Ž n No further details stated. Sivasubramaniam and New Britain tuna and big-eye (1964) Islands tuna from 07)23*99+S/150)51*359+E long-lines. 6 Prior to 1972 NW coast of New Not stated Not stated ‘‘In Papua New Guinea Dawbin, (1972) Guinea Island waters the most frequent sightings reported are those from oV the coast of north-west New Guinea’’. 7 1980 South of Micronesia Not stated Not stated Taking yellow-Ž n ‘‘10.2% of tunas hauled (Wright, 1980) and north of Irian Jaya tuna and big-eye were mauled by sharks and Papua New Guinea tuna from and killer whales’’. long-lines. Table 2. Continued.

Location/ Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details Source

8 1982 1 km oV the south No photographs 2 (1 female, 1 calf) Passed under the boat. A. Wright23 p.c. coast of Lovangai Island (New Hanover) 9 Approximately Trobriand Islands 1 (adult male) On a trip with Bob C. Roessler24 p.c. 1985 08)37*41+S/151)12*92+E Halstead, aboard

Melanesian Explorer. Killer 10 April 1987 1 km west of Susan’s Underwater Approximately 15 (1 Spent 1 h with them from M. Benjamin1 p.c. Reef, Kimbe Bay, West photographs adult male, 1 calf) approximately 1600 h. New Britain Island Snorkelled with a mother whale 05)17*36+S /150)08*17+E and calf who made close approaches (3 m) underwater. sightings 11 Unknown, Wuvulu Atoll Not stated Killer whales visit every Wuvulu residents, but prior to 01)44*97+S/142)48*95+E year, and the sharks quoted in June 1988 leave. Cousteau & Richards (1989) near 12 April 1989 Near Port Moresby ‘Large group’ Sighted two days in a M. Benjamin1 p.c. 09)28*06+S/147)08*30+E row (see record No. 13, Papua this table). 13 April 1989 Near Port Moresby ‘Large group’ Second sighting of what M. Benjamin1 p.c. 09)28*06+S/147)08*30+E was presumed the same New animals (see record No. 12, this table). Guinea 14 April 1991 Approximately four 3 No further details stated. M. Benjamin1 p.c. (during miles north of WPR*, Easter) Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Island 05)22*86+S/150)06*90+E 15 1991 Bagabag Island, Not stated One or more pods each T. Rowland25 p.c. Madang Province year. 04)47*36+S/146)10*52+E 16 November Kavieng, New Ireland ‘Several’ No further details stated. M. Benjamin1 p.c. 1992 Province 02)34*73+S/150)53*11+E 17 1992 Bagabag Island, Not stated One or more pods each T. Rowland25 p.c. Madang Province year.

04)47*36+S/146)10*52+E 161 162

Table 2. Continued.

Location/ Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details Source

18 1993 Bagabag Island, Not stated One or more pods each T. Rowland25 p.c. Madang Province year. 04)47*36+S/146)10*52+E 19 May 1994 Bradford Shoals, Underwater video 2 (1 calf) Foraging on a Snorkellers entered the Anonymous, Kimbe Bay, West New hammerhead shark. water. (1995) Britain Island 05)09*42+S/150)17*76+E I. 20 Prior to end Kimbe Bay area, West Not stated Individuals or small Foraging on a ‘‘Uncommon. Are Mundy (1994) N.

of 1994 New Britain Island pods (<4) scalloped- occasionally seen within Visser 05)14*12+S/150)10*18+E hammerhead shark. Kimbe Bay. Killer whales were seen on three

occasions in 1994. At and Bradford Shoal they have

been Ž lmed eating a F.

scalloped-hammerhead J.

shark.’’ Bonoccorso 21 1994 Bagabag Island, Not stated One or more pods each T. Rowland25 p.c. Madang Province year. 04)47*36+S/146)10*52+E 22 1995 Bagabag Island, Not stated One or more pods each T. Rowland25 p.c. Madang Province year. 04)47*36+S/146)10*52+E 23 November Near Inglis reef, Kimbe No photographs 2 No further details stated. M. Benjamin1 p.c. 1996 Bay, West New Britain Island 05)14*12+S/150)10*18+E 24 December Western end of New 8 Observed from boat M. Benjamin1 p.c. 1996 Britain Island MV FeBrena. 05)38*95+S/148)15*81+E 25 Early WPR*, Kimbe Bay, No photographs 6 (1 adult male) Followed to Restorf M. Benjamin1 p.c. December West New Britain Island. 1996 Island 0830–1030 h 05)14*12+S/150)10*18+E Table 2. Continued.

Location/ Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details Source

26 Prior to 1996 East Cape, Milne Bay Surface photograph, 1 (adult male) Foraging on a Snorkelled with the killer Halstead (1996) 10)14*64+S/150)53*35+E page 143 sunŽ sh. whale while it was eating. It brought the dead sunŽ sh towards the surface then let it drop. When the sunŽ sh had Killer almost sunk from sight, the killer whale dived for hl whale it, brought it back to the surface and dropped

again. He did this several sightings times before swimming away. ‘‘Orca are seen regularly at this site.’’

27 March 1997 Witu Islands, West Underwater Not stated Foraging on a Observed from boat Gleeson (1997) B. near New Britain Province photographs blue-spotted ray. MV FeBrena. Gleeson26 & M. 1

04)41*57+S/149)25*76+E Benjamin p.c. Papua 28 Prior to April Lama Shoal, Witu No photographs 3 Observed from boat Star Anderson (1998) 1998 Islands, West New Dancer. Entered water

Britain Province with the animals. New 04)43*10+S/149)32*88+E 27

29 April 1988 Panasagusagu Islands 2 On the surface, just J. Kinch Guinea Calvados chain outside the lagoon along 10)58*30+S/152)37*73+E the reef. Tide had just changed. 30 November Mwatawa Beach, Approximately 10 The group appeared at J. Lindstrom30 p.c. 1999 Kiriwina Island, Milne mid-day, following the Bay Province contour of the reef 08)33*29+S/151)11*74+E northward. 31 1999 NW Nuakata Island, No photographs 2 Two killer whales came D. Mitchell28 p.c. Milne Bay Province close in to the dinghy. 10)15*42+S/150)59*62+E Cut the engine and they swam oV. 32 1999 Nuakata Island, Milne No photographs 1 Came alongside the vessel D. Mitchell28 p.c. Bay Province then swam oV again. 10)17*30+S/150)59*25+E 163 164

Table 2. Continued.

Location/ Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details Source

33 Prior to May Goshen Strait, East Not stated ‘Frequently sighted.’ D. Mitchell28 p.c. 2000 Cape, New Guinea, to Cape Ventenant, Normanby Island 10)12*43+S/150)03*35+E 34 August 2000 Restorf Island, Kimbe Surface photographs 6 (1 sub-adult male) Sub-adult male had white M. Johnson31 p.c. Bay, West New Britain patch on right-hand side Island of dorsal Ž n. .I. 05 17 30 S/150 06 05 E ) * + ) * + N. 35 December Rai Coast, Saidor, No photographs 4–5 Seen killer whales several B. Leahy32 p.c. 2000 Madang Province times moving along the Visser 05)36*02+S/146)26*31+E coast. In boat one day and was surrounded by about 4 or 5 of them. and One spy-hopped. .F. 36 2000 Chamiso Channel, New Boat MV FeBrina Via E. & D. Hanover Island observed a killer whale Anom13 p.c. J. 02)40*07+S/150)27*89+E give birth, the calf Bonoccorso swimming with its umbilical cord still attached. Killer whale sightings are common at least 2–3 times a year. 37 March 2001 South Killerton Island, No photographs 2 (1 ‘big’, 1 ‘small’) Coming into the bay with M. Leiban33 p.c. Milne Bay the current. Seen from an 10)21*23+S/150)39*51+E outrigger canoe. 38 November Between WPR* and No photographs 3 Close into shore 100 M. Prior16 & T. 2001 Restorf Island, Kimbe spinner dolphins Peluso8 p.c. Bay, West New Britain high-speed porpoising in Island a north eastern direction 05)21*82+S/150)27*89+E away from killer whales 39 2001 Between Egum atoll & No photographs 2 Animals were heading M. Leiban33 p.c. Woodlark/Madau towards Gawa. Seen Island, Milne Bay from a local trading boat Province Hiwi. 09)06*30+S/152)07*94+ Table 2. Continued.

Location/ Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details Source

40 2002 Between Boiaboia No photographs 1 Seas were rough (wind B. Disilale34 p.c. Waga Island and East from the SE sector), saw Cape, Milne Bay the animal in the lee of 10)12*98+S/150)53*88+E the islands. 41 ‘Some years Manum Island, North No photographs 5 (1 adult male, 1 With them for over 1 h. C. de Wit35 p.c.

ago’ of Madang calf) Killer 04)03.715*S/145)06.515*E 42 March (year East Cape, Milne Bay No photographs 1 Came from the direction B. Disilale34 p.c. unknown, 10)13*97+S/150)52*83+E of Cape Vogel, found in whale prior to deep water. 2002) 43 April (year East Cape, Milne Bay No photographs 2 Came from the direction B. Disilale34 p.c. sightings unknown, 10)13*97+S/150)52*83+E of Cape Vogel. prior to 2002) ernear 44 Unknown Raven Channel, No photographs 1 Heading towards B. Disilale34 p.c. between East Cape & Normanby Island, Nuakata Island, Milne following the current. Papua Bay 10)15*00+S/150)56*05+E 45 Unknown Star Reefs, Lusancay Underwater Foraging on a Observed from boat MV T. Peluso8 p.c. New Islands, Trobriand videotape manta ray. FeBrina. Islands Guinea 08)19*51+S/148)56*99+E 46 Unknown Bagabag Island, 1 (adult male) This adult male is S. Ritchie36 p.c. Madang Province thought to be the same 04)49*93+S/146)19*49+E male sighted at Stettin Bay (record No. 47, this table). Distance between is a minimum of 350 km. 47 Unknown Stettin Bay, Kimbe 1 (adult male) This adult male is S. Ritchie36 p.c. Bay, West New Britain thought to be the same Island male sighted at Bagabag 05)23*71+S/150)08*28+E Island (record No. 46, this table). Distance between is a minimum of

350 km. 165 Table 2. Continued. 166

Location/ Latitude & Photographs/ Number of animals Foraging Date & Time Longitude Videotape (sex/age) behaviour Other details Source

48 Unknown Kimbe Bay, West New 2 (1 calf) Killer whale with a dead T. Peluso8 p.c. Britain Island calf observed underwater. 05)22*63+S/150)10*14+E 49 Unknown ‘Pinnacles’ 15 miles Surface photographs ‘Family group’ (1 Killer whales were K. Baldwin37 p.c. south east of Port adult male) travelling in a south Moresby easterly direction along 09)42*92+S/147)24*05+E the coast. Approached boat and interacted with snorkellers. Departed .I. when scuba used. Male .N. spy-hopped next to boat. 50 Unknown Planet Channel, New Not stated Not stated Foraging on a shark Observed from boat Via E.& D. Visser Hanover Island (species unknown). Tiata. Anom13 p.c. 02)39*98+S/150)29*47+E 51 Unknown Big Fish Reef, NE of Not stated Not stated Observed from boat Via E. & D. and New Hanover Island Tiata. Anom13 p.c. .F. 02)21*63+/150)22*87+E 52 Unknown Ward Hunt Strait, No photographs Occasionally seen. D. Mitchell28 p.c. J. Cape Vogel, Milne Bay Bonoccorso Province 09)37*32+S/150)05*45+E 53 Unknown Wahoo Point, Milne Not stated Not stated No further details given. R. van der Loos 38 Bay p.c. 10)27*31+S/150)46*58+E 54 Unknown Wahoo Point, Milne Not stated Not stated No further details given. R. van der Loos 38 Bay p.c. 10)27*31+S/150)46*58+E 55 Unknown Between Basalisk Point Surface videotape M. Heighes39 p.c & East Cape, north side of Milne Bay 10)23*40+S/150)59*28+E 56 Unknown Marshal Bennett M. Heighes39 p.c Group, Trobriand Islands 08)51*14+S/151)54*86+E 57 Unknown Egum Atoll, Trobriand M. Heighes39 p.c Islands 09)24*09+S/151)53*90+E

See Table 1 for footnotes. Killerwhale sightings near Papua New Guinea 167

Figure 2. Approximatelocations of ‘ ‘Data-deŽcient’ ’ recordsof killer whale sightings in Papua New Guinea waters (extractedfrom Table 2).

recordsof manta ray ( Mantabirostris ) (sighting encountered.Divers entered the water and were No.3 Table1, sighting No. 45, Table 2), and one ableto take underwater photographs. The killer recordof blue-spotted ray ( Aetobatusnarinari ) whaleswere observed for approximately 20 min (sightingNo. 27,Table 2). asthey traveled at high speed in a tightgroup in Theearliest records of killer whales in Papua anortheast direction, until contact was lost NewGuinea waters describe the animals removing (T.Peluso, pers. comm.). Žsh(tuna of various species) from long-lines Duringtwo other killer whale encounters, spin- (Iwashita et al.,1963;Sivasubramaniam, 1964). An nerdolphins ( Stenellalongirostris )weresighted additionaltwo species of Ž n-Žsh have been ident- porpoisingat high speed. In encounter sighting iŽed as free-swimming prey; Indo-PaciŽ c sailŽsh, No.38 (Table 2), a groupof threekiller whales were Istiophorusplatypterus (sightingNo. 12, Table 1) observed oV RestorfIsland. After following them and sunŽ sh, Mola mola (sightingNo. 26, Table 2). fora shortperiod, a groupof approximately 100 Duringthe interaction between an estimated 20 spinnerdolphins were observed to move away from killerwhales and 12 sperm whales ( Physetermacro- thevicinity, porpoising at high speed. The killer cephalus)(sightingNo. 16, Table 1), anecdotal whaleswere not observed to follow the dolphins informationsuggested that the killer whales could andwere not resighted. In the second encounter haveharassed the sperm whales in an attempt to (sightingNo. 34, Table 1), a groupof approxi- attackthem. Subsequent to thetwo species separat- mately50 spinner dolphins were observed to inginto their conspeciŽ c groups,the sperm whales porpoiseat high speed away from an area wereobserved for approximately 20 min,and their wherekiller whales were last sighted surfacing behaviourdid not appear to changefrom when Ž rst approximately30 minearlier. 168 I.N.Visserand F. J.Bonoccorso

Figure 3. Killerwhale sightings in Papua New Guinea, plotted by month where known ( n=52). Data extractedfrom Tables 1 and2.

Figure 4. Femalekiller whale and calf (catalogue numbers PNG4 & PNG5respectively). Photographedo V CapeHuessener, Kimbe Bay, West NewBritain Island, Papua New Guinea, 15April 2002. The eye-patch of thecalf is clearlyvisible, as is anotchat the anterior base of female’ s dorsalŽ n.Bothanimals show thetypical black and white pigmentation pattern of killer whales from this area.Photo: I. N.Visser.

Discussion southernislands call them Ulaulasi inthe Tawala Althoughtypically considered a temperateto cold language.It is of notethat local Papua New Guinea waterspecies, killer whales have been reported from peoplehave names for this species, in that they are tropicalareas around the world (e.g., Dahlheim familiarenough with them to warrant a speciŽc et al.,1982).Sightings in tropical Oceania, Indo- name(i.e., they do not just classify them as a PaciŽc andSouth-east Asia, although not common, ‘general’dolphin). This is not the case in New arewidespread (Table 3). In addition to those Zealand,were although the killer whales are very sightingslisted in Table 3 thereare therecords from coastalin their habits (Visser, 1999 a; Visser, PapuaNew Guinea presented here (Tables 1 and2). 2000b)thelocal Maori people have no names, nor Fromthese it is apparent that killer whales are not mythsor legends about them (Best, 1982 a; Best, uncommonin Papua New Guinea waters. The 1982b;Grace,1907; Orbell, 1995). The vernacular peopleliving around the coastline occasionally sight name‘ orca’is used in Papua New Guinea, having them(Table 1 and2) and call them in Pidgin beenintroduced by the expatriate community, English blackwhite bigpla dolphin (black and whichis primarily from Australia and New whitebig-fellow dolphin). The people living in the Zealand. Killerwhale sightings near Papua New Guinea 169

Table 3. Sightingsof killerwhales in tropical Oceania, Indo-PaciŽ c andSouth-east Asia, (for PapuaNew Guinea sightings seeTables 1 and2).

Location Source

Borneo Beasley(1997); Rudolph (1997) FederatedStates of Yap Reeves(1999); B. Acker( pers. comm.) Indonesia Barnes(1991); Hembree (1980); Rudolph (1997); Sivasubramaniam (1964) New Guinea Iwashita(1963) Malaysia Corkeren(1995) Naru Eldredge(1991) NewCaledonia Das(1993); Garrigue and Greaves (2001) Palau Iwashita(1963) SolomonIslands Newbert(1995); Shimada (1995) Thailand Andersen(1999); Chantrapornsyl (1996) Tonga I.N.Visser (unpublisheddata)

Althoughthere were only 52 sightings in Papua branchsform at least part of their prey, with the NewGuinea waters, for which the month was Žrstdocumentation worldwide of killer whales known(Fig. 3), it appearsthat killer whales can be feedingon scalloped-hammerhead sharks, grey foundbetween March and December, inclusive. reefsharks and blue-spotted rays (Fertl et al., Iwashita et al.(1963)commented that killer whales 1996). will stayin the same region (which included Papua Thereare records of killerwhales feeding on rays NewGuinea waters) for at leastthree months, and (albeit, diVerentspecies) from Brazil, the Galá pagos basedon predation from long-lines, they tend to Islands,and New Zealand (Fertl et al.,1996;Visser, remainin tropical waters throughout the year. 1999a),andalthough a populationof killer whales Apparentpeaks in sightings (or lack of sightings) oV NewZealand has been recorded eating a wide recordedhere may be due to observer bias, and/ or rangeof elasmobranchs ( n=8species)(Visser, datacollection bias (e.g., weather conditions may 1999a;Visser,2000 a; Visser et al.,2000)they have notbe conducive to cetacean sightings during the notbeen recorded foraging on grey reef sharks, ‘wet’season of December–February). Observer bias scalloped-hammerheadsharks, or manta rays. islikely to be a factorcontributing to the high However,grey reef sharks are not found in the numberof sightings in April e.g., a surveycon- temperatewaters of the area and scalloped- ductedduring this month (Visser, 2002). It is also hammerheadsharks and manta rays are not com- likelyto be a contributingfactor to thehigh number mon,perhaps contributing to these species not ofsightings from the Kimbe Bay area (56.7% of recordedas prey for New Zealand killer whales. ‘conŽrmed’ sightings). This area is one of the few Theonly other records of killer whales feeding on placesin Papua New Guinea where, for many years mantarays are from the Galá pagos Islands (Fertl diveboats have made daily trips more than Ž ve et al., 1996). nauticalmiles from base (M. Benjamin,pers. Itisnoteworthy that where detailed observations comm.). weremade, all elasmobranchs were held upside- Becausethere are only two matches within the down(Table 1). In some instances the prey were catalogue,and both are within the same area of stillalive while being carried or whensubsequently KimbeBay, it is not possible to suggest any pat- dropped.New Zealand killer whales have been ternsof movement. The two killer whales with grey observed‘ ipping’live rays dorsoventrally (Visser, under-ukes were not the same animal (Visser, 2000b)andin allinstances o V NewZealand, where unpublisheddata), and they were observed in dif- electricrays ( Torpedofairchildii )wereobserved as ferentlocations (one o V WuvuluIsland, and the prey,they were held dorsoventrally (Visser, unpub- otherat Kimbe Bay). Therefore, it is possible that lisheddata). Elasmobranchs can be a high-riskprey morekiller whales in Papua New Guinea waters (e.g.,the death of a killerwhale was attributed mayhave grey under- ukes, and this may be an toa sting-rayspine (Duignan et al., 2000) and indicativepigmentation feature for this population defencessuch as teeth and electrical charges are (Visser,2002 b).Furthercollection of photographs alsopotentially lethal). It is possible, given that andcomparison with catalogues from adjacent elasmobranchscan be induced to exhibit ‘ tonic areasis encouraged. immobility’(an unlearned response characterised Althoughthe primary food source for this bya stateof immobility, which may last from less populationof killer whales is unknown, elasmo- thana minto several h) (Henningson, 1994), that 170 I.N.Visserand F. J.Bonoccorso thekiller whales invert them dorsoventrally to Itis generally accepted that marine mammals renderthem defenceless. However, this should be forman important part of the diet of some killer interpretedwith caution, as alackof responsefrom whalepopulations (Baird, 1994; Baird, 2000; Baird theprey may be the result of injury, and the &Dill,1995; Barrett-Lennard et al.,1996;Ford & positionthe prey is heldby the killer whales may be Ellis,1999; Visser, 1999 c).Althoughthey have not aconsequenceof prey shape. beenrecorded as prey in Papua New Guinea, it is Killerwhales have been reported taking Ž sho V unlikelythat the dolphins would  eethe vicinity of long-linesin many areas of the world (e.g., Visser, killerwhales if they were not potential prey. Flight 2000a)andalthough tuna have been reported as responsesare considered to be ‘ expensive’in terms prey oV PapuaNew Guinea, this seems to be ofenergy expenditure (Ydenberg, 1986), but they predominatelyassociated with removing them from are an eVectivepredator avoidance strategy. It long-lines(e.g., Iwashita, 1963; Sivasubramaniam, islikely, as marine mammal research expands in 1964;Visser, 2000 a).Killerwhales take sword- PapuaNew Guinea, cetaceans will bereported as Ž sh (Xiphiasgladius )fromlong-lines in Brazilian preyfor killer whales in these waters. waters(della Rosa, 1995; Secchi & Vaske,1998), Aragones et al.(1997)suggested that preliminary butthe instance reported here, of the killer whales investigationsfor cetaceans in developing countries foragingon Indo-PaciŽ c sailŽsh, is the Ž rstfor couldcollect anecdotal information and use plat- thisprey species, and also as afree-swimmingprey. formsof opportunity, because resources are often Two otherrecords exist for killer whales foraging limitedfor starting such a project.This protocol onsunŽ sh, both from the South PaciŽ c— one o V wasfollowed, and the results presented in aprelimi- NewZealand (Visser, 2001) and one o V the Great narycetacean survey of Kimbe Bay (Visser, 2002) BarrierReef, Australia (Gladstone, 1988). andherein, suggesting that a researchproject, tar- JeVerson et al.(1991)recorded interactions getingkiller whales, is not only feasible, but due to betweenkiller whales and other marine mammals thelack of robust information about the species in anddivided killer whale interactions with other thisarea, urgent. Due to the time constraints for marinemammals into two types; predatory and platformsof opportunity, such as scuba-diving non-predatory.They reported most attacks on large boats,and the lack of precise data from anecdotal whales(e.g., sperm whales) were by groups of one information,we believethat a dedicatedvessel, with toŽ vekiller whales, which is well belowthe group trainedobservers, would be mostsuccessful. Such a sizeassociated with the sperm whales in sighting dedicated,long-term project would provide scien- No.16 (Table 1). Although neither predatory tiŽc informationto assist government and non- behaviournor avoidance behaviour was observed, governmentorganisations in protecting these acousticharassment by either species cannot be animalsin Papua New Guinea, where their status is ruled-out,as nohydrophonerecordings were made. unknown. JeVerson et al.(1991)did not list any predatory interactionsbetween killer whales and spinner Acknowledgments dolphinsand listed only one record of non- M.&C.Benjaminof Walindi Plantation Resort predatorybehaviour where a singlekiller whale, hostedthe Kimbe Bay Preliminary Cetacean Survey whichhad escaped captivity, was seen associating andprovided logistical support (including vessels, withspinner dolphins o V Hawaii(Pryor, 1973). The crewand fuel), without their kind support this groupsize (of both prey and predator), for the two studywould not have been possible. T. Peluso eventsinvolving killer whales and spinner dolphins assistedextensively with data collection, and logis- inPapua New Guinea waters (sighting No. 34, tics.Many people provided access to unpublished Table1 andsighting No. 38,Table 2), could have reportsof orca in Papua New Guinea, and their inuenced the responses of theanimals. Group sizes responseis gratefully acknowledged. D. Eglitis,A. ofthe killer whales recorded in these interactions Dutton,S. Ritchie,the crew of Fe Brina and the wereŽ veandthree respectively. Although Je Verson ‘divecrew’ at Walindi were helpful beyond words. et al.(1991)recorded instances of harassment of J.Groveand W. Zenderof Zegrahm Expeditions preyby small groups of killer whales ( # 5), they allowedresearch to be conducted during their suggestedthat attacks on large herds of dolphins PapuaNew Guinea Expedition. Thanks to B. ($ 10prey) are most common by groups of 6– 10 Nickelwho compiled the maps, J. Berghan,P. killerwhales. Munday,J. McDowell,T. Je Verson,S. Imbertiand Based on JeVerson et al.(1991)we classifythe C.Guinetprovided helpful comments and reviewed threeevents presented here (involving killer whales, themanuscript. spermwhales, and spinner dolphins) as non- predatorybecause there was no apparent attempts LiteratureCited atpredation by the killer whales (again, acoustic Andersen,M. &Kinze,C. C.(1999)Annotated checklist harassmentcannot be ruled-out). andidentiŽ cation key to the whales, dolphins and Killerwhale sightings near Papua New Guinea 171

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