Taxonomy
Orcinus orca | Killer Whale
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
| HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING |
| Range | Favourable |
| Population | Unknown |
| Habitat | Favourable |
| Future Prospects | Unknown |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | Unknown |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N / A |
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland | Not evaluated* |
| Europe (1) | Data deficient |
| Global (2) | Data deficient |
* There is currently no Irish Red List for Marine Mammals.
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) Appendix II
- Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Whale Fisheries Act 1937
Native status
The 2013 IUCN Global Red List for this species lists Ireland as one of the countries where it is native.
Source: Taylor, B.L. et al 2013.
The species is recorded almost year round in Irish waters, however members of a group originally and consistently identified as having a core range based around the Hebrides have been recorded in Irish waters on a number of occasions.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Species Biology
Identification
- Maximum body length: Adult male c. 9.5m (32ft), adult female c. 8.5m (28ft)
- Average body length: Adult male c. 7-8m (22-26ft), adult female c. 6-7m (19-22ft)
- Blow: Low & bushy with sharp sound, audible from a distance
- Head shape: Rounded head tapers to point
- Beak: Indistinct beak and straight mouth-line
- Dorsal fin: Largest dorsal fin of any Delphinid species, located mid-way along back, which on adult males can reach 1.8m (6ft). Shaped like an isosceles triangle, may cant forward. Falcate and dolphin- like on females and immatures. Visible from some distance.
- Colouration: Mostly jet- black on top and flanks. The chin, throat and underside along the ventral midline are white, as is the belly patch continuing past the anus.
- Markings: Conspicuous white patch behind and above eyes, clearly visible on surfacing. Variable whitish/grey saddle patch behind dorsal fin.
The next diagnostic feature is the brilliant white, eye-patch, which is visible on surfacing. The grayish / white saddle patch, behind the dorsal fin appears mid- way through a surfacing.
Source: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Habitat
As there appears to be a degree of prey specialisation between populations habitat use is also varied. Globally the species is completely cosmopolitan from tropical to arctic (and antarctic) waters, although perhaps more abundant at higher latitudes. May occur in coastal to pelagic situations.
Source: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.
Habitats;
- Marine water body (M)
Sources: Harris S., Yalden D.W. 2008.; Fossitt, J.A., 2001.
Life stages
Reproduction
- Max life expectancy: Male c. 50 years, female c. 80 years (in wild)
- Average life expectancy: Male c. 30 years, females c.50 years (much less in captivity)
- Male longevity: Less than females by average of 29 years
- Female sexual maturity: 11-14 years at 5m (16ft)
- Female breeding age: 15-40 years of age; a single calf is born every 4-6 years
- Gestation period: 16-17 months
- Calves born: Autumn & winter in NE Atlantic at 2.5 m (7-8ft)
- Calf mortality: >40% of calves die in their 1st year
- Male sexual maturity: 12-14 years at length 5.8-6.7m
Threats faced
| THREAT | ARTICLE 17 THREAT CODE | RANKING |
| Fishing and harvesting aquatic resources* | F02 | Medium |
| Seismic exploration, explosions | H06.05 | Medium |
| Death or injury by collision | G05.11 | Low |
| Noise nuisance, noise pollution | H06.01 | Low |
| Marine water pollution | H03 | Low |
| Changes in abiotic conditions | M01 | Low |
*This would include the threat to this species of a reduction in prey availability as well as the threat of becoming by-catch / accidental catch and also entanglement in fishing gear.
These threats accord well with threats outlined in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment for the species, which did not identify any other threats that may be relevant in Irish waters.
Source: IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 2007.
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Measures in place or in the process of being implemented during the period were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
In addition to an acknowledgement of the existence of legislative protection, suggested Conservation Actions in the 2007 European Regional IUCN Red List assessment for this species included;
- Further studies on subpopulation structure, abundance and life history are needed.
In a 2009 Cetacean Action Plan a total of 41 Actions were identified as part of the plan. The plan and the 2013 review of the plan are available from the NPWS website.
Source: DEHLG 2009; NPWS 2013a.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Global distribution, from tropical to polar waters.
Accuracy of world distribution shown in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) map below will be constrained by, amongst other factors, data held but not shared by countries and organizations not participating in the GBIF.
Irish distribution
Less likely to be encountered on Irish Sea than in near-shore waters around the south, west, north and northeast coasts.
Source: Wall D. et al 2013.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to
improve our knowledge on the distribution of the Killer Whale in
Ireland. Should you observe this species, please submit
sightings to add to the database. Detailed observations will assist us
gaining a better insight into where the species
is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be able to detect
regional variations. Please submit any sightings and photographs at:
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All
records submitted online can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked
and validated these will be added to the database and made available for
conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
DEHLG (2009) Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters.
Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.
Species account by IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group; regional assessment by European Mammal Assessment team 2007. Orcinus orca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 October 2014.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
NPWS (2013a) Delivery Schedule for Actions listed in the Conservation Plan for Cetaceans in Irish waters – June 2013
Taylor, B.L., Baird, R., Barlow, J., Dawson, S.M., Ford, J., Mead, J.G., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G., Wade, P. & Pitman, R.L. 2013. Orcinus orca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 October 2014.
Wall, D., Murray, C., O’Brien, J., Kavanagh, L., Wilson, C., Ryan, C., Glanville, B., Williams, D., Enlander, I., O’Connor, I., McGrath, D., Whooley, P. & Berrow, S. (2013). Atlas of the Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in Irish Offshore Waters: 2005 – 2011. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co. Clare.