A-Pod is
a family of six orcas that spent much of July and August 2002 near
the shore of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. The year 2002 saw
more Avalon Peninsula orca sightings than ever before and when
photographs were available to examine, it was always these same Pod
A individuals. Orca sightings off the Avalon continued until
November 24, 2002 when a group (possibly A-Pod) was spotted off Cape
Race.

During
the July 25 encounter when all of these photos were taken, we also
noted some interesting behaviors among the two dozen humpbacks in
the vicinity of these orcas — almost everyone did multiple breaches
or loud lob-tailing displays just prior to the orcas swimming into
the area. Perhaps the humpbacks were advertising that they were
strong and healthy in order to discourage the orcas from
approaching. We are documenting humpback tails with scars from orca
bites on this website so there are obviously times when orcas will
do more than encourage breaches and other loud displays.

Interestingly, two minke whales came within 100 m (100 yd) of some
of these orcas during the time the
Wildland Tours Whale Study Week group was observing the group.
The relationship between minkes and orcas is difficult to
understand. Whale researchers and fishermen here have observed orcas
killing or harassing minkes, humpbacks and other whales. This
contrasts with Dr. Jon Lien's Red Bay, Labrador observation in the
spring of 2002 where he saw a single orca and a single minke feeding
cooperatively… driving herring towards one another.