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Prince of Whales PODcast
Episode 1: Whale Watching 101
Welcome to the debut episode of the Prince of Whales POD-cast! Meet your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon from Prince of Whales; this episode dives into the captivating world of whales and the marine ecosystems of British Columbia’s Salish Sea. Get to know the types of whales you might encounter on tours, learn about their unique behaviours, and hear fascinating insights into their diets and migration patterns.
Episode 2: Race Rocks & the Great Humpback Migration
Welcome to Episode 2 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they explore the wonders of British Columbia’s marine ecosystems. In this episode, we focus on the iconic Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, uncovering its incredible biodiversity and the powerful tidal currents that shape it. We also dive into the epic journeys of humpback whales, exploring their migration patterns, the reasons behind their travels, and the fascinating story of their population recovery after near extinction.
Episode 3: Whale Communication & Orca Shenanigans
Welcome to Episode 3 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they delve into the fascinating world of whale communication and the playful antics of orcas. This episode explores how baleen whales use low-frequency calls to communicate across vast ocean distances and compares their methods to the echolocation of toothed whales like orcas. We also dive into some entertaining stories about orca behaviours, from interacting with gray whales to their mischievous encounters with crab pots.
Episode 4: Sea Otters & Feeding Behaviours
Welcome to Episode 4 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they dive into the unique lives of sea otters and the incredible feeding techniques of humpback whales. This episode explores the fascinating story of Ollie, a solitary sea otter at Race Rocks, and his remarkable adaptation to life on his own. We also discuss how sea otters play a critical role as a keystone species, protecting kelp forests and supporting marine ecosystems. Later, we delve into humpback whales’ clever hunting strategies, from bubble net feeding to trap feeding and beyond.
Episode 5: Blows, Orca attacks, & Puffins
Welcome to Episode 5 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join your hosts, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon, as they tackle fascinating questions about marine wildlife and dive into some of the Salish Sea’s most intriguing creatures. This episode unpacks the mystery behind whale blows, explores the epic confrontations between humpback whales and orcas, and highlights the rare and delightful tufted puffins.
Episode 6: Orca Ecotypes & Salmon Hats
Welcome to Episode 6 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! In this episode, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon explore the fascinating world of orca ecotypes and the challenges they face. From the playful yet mysterious “salmon hat” behavior of resident killer whales to the critical differences between Southern and Northern Resident orcas, this episode dives deep into the interconnected lives of orcas and their essential prey: Chinook salmon. Discover how human activities, environmental changes, and historical captures have shaped the current plight of these iconic marine mammals.
Episode 7: Orca Taxonomy, Animal Hybrids and New Babies!
Welcome to Episode 7 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join Claudia, Nik, and Brendon as they dive into the fascinating world of orca taxonomy, hybrid species, and exciting new developments with the Southern Resident Killer Whales. This episode explores how orca populations are classified into subspecies, the surprising world of marine mammal hybrids, and the hopeful news of new calves in the struggling Southern Resident population. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just love hearing about the latest in marine life, this episode is packed with captivating insights!
Episode 8: Bald Eagles and When To Go Whale Watching
Welcome to Episode 8 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Join Claudia, Nik, and Brendon as they dive into exciting questions about whale watching seasons, bald eagle populations, and the incredible feeding behaviors of whales in British Columbia. From the best times to spot whales on the coast to the inspiring recovery of bald eagles, this episode covers it all. Whether you’re planning your next whale-watching adventure or just curious about the animals of the Salish Sea, this episode is filled with engaging insights and fascinating facts!
Episode 9: Dolphins, Porpoises, and Latin Names
Welcome to Episode 9 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon explore the fascinating world of dolphins and porpoises in British Columbia’s waters. From their differences in appearance and behaviour to their unique adaptations for survival, this episode dives deep into the lives of these incredible cetaceans. Along the way, you’ll learn about hybrid porpoises and playful dolphins and how these species thrive in BC’s diverse marine ecosystems. Whether you’re a marine biology enthusiast or simply curious about the creatures beneath the waves, this episode is packed with fun facts and engaging stories!
Episode 10: Sharks of BC
Welcome to Episode 10 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon dive into the fascinating world of sharks in British Columbia’s waters. From misunderstood gentle giants like the basking shark to elusive predators like the salmon shark, this episode explores the diversity and importance of these incredible creatures. You’ll also learn about their role in marine ecosystems, their long lifespans, and why sharks in BC are more fascinating than fearsome.
Episode 11: Jellies!
Welcome to Episode 11 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon dive into the mesmerizing world of jellyfish in the Salish Sea—why they bloom, what species call B.C. waters home, and how changing ocean conditions may be giving them an advantage. From the massive Lion’s Mane jellyfish with tentacles over 100 feet long to the glowing comb jellies, we explore the good, the bad, and the downright weird aspects of jellyfish in our local waters. Whether you’re fascinated by marine life or just want to know if you should be worried about jellyfish stings, this episode has it all!
Episode 12: Bioluminescence
Welcome to Episode 12 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, Claudia, Nik, and Brendon dive into one of the most magical ocean phenomena—bioluminescence! Have you ever seen the ocean glow at night? Whether it’s shimmering plankton, glowing jellyfish, or deep-sea creatures using their own built-in flashlights, we break down the science, beauty, and mystery behind this natural wonder. Plus, we answer a listener’s question about where and when to see bioluminescence in BC, and share some amazing stories of glowing whales, firefly squid, and even red tide.
Episode 13: FUN FACTS! – Part 1
Welcome to Episode 13 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we’re switching things up—no questions, just rapid-fire fun facts about the incredible creatures of the Salish Sea! Over the past 12 episodes, we’ve uncovered some mind-blowing animal facts, and now we’re sharing the best of them with you. From whale earwax that tells their life story to octopus blood that turns them blue, and sea cucumbers that eject their organs—this episode is packed with surprises.
Episode 14: FUN FACTS! – Part 2
Welcome to Episode 14 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! Last week, we packed an entire episode with fascinating facts about the Salish Sea’s wildlife—and we still had more to share! Part 2 of our fun fact special covers everything from the world’s oldest orca to how salmon smell their way home and even whale vomit worth more than gold. If you haven’t checked out Part 1 yet, go back and listen, then jump right into this episode for even more surprises!
Episode 15: A Whale of a Career – Part 1
Welcome to Episode 15 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we have a very special guest—Mark Malleson, a Zodiac skipper with nearly 28 years of experience at Prince of Wales. Mark has spent thousands of hours on the water and works with the Center for Whale Research on annual orca population surveys. He’s sharing his incredible stories, insights on the changes in the Salish Sea, and what it’s like to dedicate a life to whales.
Episode 16: A Whale of a Career – Part 2
Welcome to Episode 16 of the Prince of Whales PODcast! This week, we’re continuing our conversation with Mark Malleson, a Zodiac skipper with nearly three decades of experience on the Salish Sea. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Episode 15 for the first half of this incredible interview.
