April is Earth & Ocean Month
April 1, 2023
April is Earth and Ocean Month on Whidbey Island, a time to partner with other organizations and individuals and inspire action to protect this rich ecosystem and the home of so many species we hold dear. Each April Orca Network celebrates the Sounders gray whales, a group of now almost 20 animals who break off their migration route to feed on ghost shrimp in North Puget Sound waters.
On this first day of Earth and Ocean Month, we honor two special Sounders who have stolen our hearts - #21 Shackleton and #22 Earhart. Most of the literature about gray whales states that they are “solitary… travel alone… not highly social… only come together during the breeding season… don’t form long-term bonds”. But no one told that to Shackleton and Earhart. These two whales, a known male and female, were the first two Sounders observed by Cascadia Research in 1990, and they were traveling together at the time. During the years when they are both here, they continue to seek each other out and spend time feeding and socializing with one another. When Shackleton arrived in North Puget Sound on March 26th this year, it seems he immediately went and found his old friend, as they were seen together later that day and for several days afterwards.
What is the relationship between Shackleton and Earhart? Was this friendship formed when they both happened to arrive in Puget Sound at the same time in 1990, or did they come here together searching for a new food source? Are they genetically related to each other or do they simply find comfort in each other’s company? Shackleton and Earhart are survivors. He has scars on his back and tail flukes that tell the story of a possible previous entanglement injury, and she was hit by a speedboat in 2017. They have both survived two Unusual Mortality Events that took the lives of so many gray whales. For the past two years, Earhart has made the choice not to migrate south to Baja for the winter, instead arriving in Puget Sound early to feast on ghost shrimp, a testament to her intelligence, adaptability and will to survive. One must also wonder if their ability to survive and thrive is partly due to the amazing friendship between these two special whales. There are so many questions we may never know the answers to, but what we do know for sure is that their story is beautiful and heartwarming and their relationship has caused us to rethink so many things we thought we knew about gray whales. Happy Earth and Ocean Month Shackleton and Earhart, and a big heartfelt welcome to all the Sounders gray whales!
Please join us for our Welcome the Whales Festival on April 15th and 16th to learn more about the Sounders gray whales from Cascadia Research, participate in our Welcome the Whales parade, take part in a beach clean up on behalf of the Sounders, and enjoy a fundraising cruise to search for Sounders gray whales and help support Orca Network’s education programs. To learn more and register for the virtual presentation by Cascadia Research on Saturday, or Gray Whale Cruise on Sunday: Welcome the Whales Festival & Parade — Orca Network
For more information about Earth and Ocean Month, and a calendar of events: Home - Whidbey Earth & Ocean Month (whidbeyearthday.org)