Olna Firth orca bull a new animal in the local population
PEOPLE travelling between Voe and Brae have been enjoying close up views of an orca bull which has been checking out the Olna Firth area since yesterday (Tuesday).
The bull appears to be new to the area as it is not an animal identified as a member of the three resident inshore pods of orcas that can be regularly seen around the coast.
Naturalist Hugh Harrop, who manages the popular Shetland Orca & Cetacean Sightings Facebook page, said the solitary animal was first noticed in Olna Firth on Tuesday morning.
He said one of the first things to do was to check out whether the animal was injured or entangled in rope or discarded netting.
“Fortunately, he is neither,” Harrop said, adding that the orca “appears to be pretty healthy, so hopefully he will be heading out again soon.
“The bull is not a member of our three inshore pods,” he added.
Harrop said he wanted to remind any boat handler on Olna Firth to be conscious of the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code which has been set up to minimise disturbance.
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