Chenega (AT6)

This adult male, Chenega, is one of the AT1 transients, a small population of seal and porpoise eating whales that has declined from 22 whales in 1984 to only 8 whales this year because of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, low numbers of harbor seals, and contaminants (DDTs and PCBs) found in their blubber. This genetically unique group was named after an island and native village in southwest Prince William Sound. Chenega is now about 29 years old. When we first saw him in 1984 he was a young male, just sprouting his adult size dorsal fin. He is now one of the last of his kind. Fortunately we saw Chenega on several occasions this summer, the most recent was in early September in Aialik Bay in Kenai Fjords where he was hunting seals in front of Aialik Glacier with three other AT1 transients, Icy (AT2), Ewan (AT3) and Paddy (AT4). We didn't see him get any seals on this occasion, but in July, also in Aialik Bay, he grabbed a harbor seal in front of the tourboat Coastal Explorer, while 80 people watched. The seal was shared with Icy, Ewan and Paddy, three females who were also traveling with him. Harbor seals, Chenega's preferred food (although he occasionally eats porpoise as well), have declined dramatically in the Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound in the past 30 years. This year he seemed to be hunting a lot near the tidewater glaciers in Prince William Sound where hundreds of seals are sometimes found on ice flows. We also see him prowling along the rocky shorelines quietly searching for harbor seals. He can be shy and quiet when hunting, but sometimes makes long wailing calls, calling to other members of his group. We are very concerned about the future of Chenega and the other surviving members of the AT1 group and are hopeful that they will continue to roam the Sound.

Last update : Oct 8, 2003

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