An orca, or killer whale, was spotted off the coast of Kitty Hawk in the Outer Banks last week.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium said the find was a “wild surprise” for the aquarium’s Research Institute’s aerial survey team.
“This was an exciting discovery for our team as this is the first time they have spotted an orca since survey efforts began in the area five years ago,” the aquarium said.
The team spotted the orca on March 13.
The update from the aquarium did not say how far off the beach the mammal was located.
Orcas are easily identified with black and white colors, a large dorsal fin and a streamlined body. Adults weigh anywhere from 8,000 to 12,000 pounds. They can live to be nearly 100 years old.
The aerial survey team covers hundreds of miles of the southern eastern seaboard locating right whales during a five-month period when the migration and calving season takes place. North Atlantic right whales move south and are vulnerable to boat strikes and entanglement.
The right whales are critically endangered with only around 370 of the whales remaining.
By law, vessels must remain beyond 500 yards of right whales. During calving season, vessels 65 feet and longer must reduce speed to10 knots or less.
Three whales were recorded on March 9 near the Oregon Inlet.
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Crystal Graham
