HWDT Biodiversity Officer_Nienke van Geel_14.9.09 (12) (2).JPG

west coast community photo-id catalogue

Numbering only eight individuals (four males and four females), members of the West Coast Community - recorded only in UK and Irish waters - can be distinguished from other groups of killer whales seen around Scotland by their unusual sloping eye patch and larger size. Each individual in the group is recognisable by the unique shape of their dorsal fin as well as the shape and coloration of their saddle patch. HWDT have been collating photographs and sightings of the West Coast Community since 1992.

These animals truly are a west coast community, with sightings recorded from the whole of the western seaboard of the UK and Ireland. One individual, John Coe, has also been spotted off the east coast of Scotland. Although the group is wide ranging, most sightings have been within the Hebrides. Some individuals have not been seen in recent years and there have been no calves observed since monitoring began in the 1990’s. Lulu, the ninth member of the group, died after becoming entangled and stranded on Tiree, in the Hebrides, in January 2016. Lulu’s death was tragic but it provided us with a unique insight into the threats facing this small and unique group.

Contaminant analysis of tissue taken from Lulu’s necropsy, carried out by the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, showed that she had one of the highest levels of PCB burden ever recorded in the species - 100 times higher than the accepted threshold for PCB toxicity in marine mammals! High levels of PCBs cause poor health and infertility. Although she was sexually mature, Lulu‘s necropsy showed she had never been pregnant. This finding, linked with the fact that no calves have been recorded in the West Coast Community since monitoring began, suggests that this unique group of killer whales will become extinct in the coming years.

In recent years, only the two old males - John Coe and Aquarius - have been reported, prompting fears they are the last remaining members of this population. Tragically, this unique ecotype will go extinct from our waters in the coming years.

W01 - John Coe (Bull)

First seen in 1980, John Coe is the most distinct individual in the West Coast Community, identifiable by the large notch in bottom of his dorsal fin and a bite in his tail fluke.

W02 - Floppy Fin (Bull)

Floppy Fin has a very distinctive dorsal fin that ‘flops’ over to the left. In wild killer whales, this is quite rare and is thought to be genetic.

W03 - Nicola (Female)

Nicola was first catalogued in 1992 and has an obvious notch in her dorsal fin, making her distinguishable from the other females in the population.

W05 - Comet (Bull)

Comet was first catalogued by the Trust in 1998. In 2016, HWDT helped to match Comet to a whale named ‘Dopey Dick’ who swam up the River Foyle in 1977, making him nearly 60 years old! Click on the image to read the full story.

W07 - Moneypenny (Female)

Monnypenny was first catalogued in 2004 and has most often been seen with John Coe.

W08 - Aquarius (Bull)

Aquarius was first catalogued in 2004 and is frequently seen alongside John Coe.

W09 - Puffin (Female)

Puffin was first catalogued by HWDT in 2000 and has a small, falcate dorsal fin, which is characteristic of female killer whales.

W10 - Occasus (Female)

Occasus was first catalogued by HWDT in 2005 and later named in 2011 as part of a competition run by BBC Wildlife magazine.

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