Dec 26 - Vancouver Island's killer whales face killer toxins

Good morning !

Here’s hoping everyone had a joyful Christmas Day, and that good vibes and peace prevail in the coming days and in the new year.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 10 / 7

Tomorrow: 🌨️ 13 / 8

Day after: 🌨️ 11 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

Toxins found in killer whales in Island waters

Pollutants from wildfire smoke, fossil fuels, stormwater and wastewater, and oil spills have been found in killer whales from both the endangered southern resident pods and transient Bigg’s orcas.

The peer-reviewed study in the journal Scientific Reports, published by Nature, examined muscle and liver samples from dead whales. It identified toxic chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked to cancer, mutations, and reproductive issues. 

Southern residents tended to have PAHs from petrogenic sources (i.e. pollution from petroleum, typically via oil spills) while the transients tended toward pyrogenic sources (i.e. pollution released by burning). The researchers attribute this to differences in where the two groups live, what they eat, and how they metabolize. The study also found evidence that toxins were transferred from pregnant whales to their developing offspring. 

Whale health speaks to broader issues

Study co-author José Alava told CBC that these whales—which can absorb toxins by breathing air, eating food, and swimming in water—are “canaries in the coal mine” for the overall health of BC’s marine environment.

The increase in the number of Bigg’s whales in the Salish Sea has produced a record year for sightings but the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) continue to struggle with 74 individuals and declining sightings. The threats to SRKWs include lack of salmon to eat, human marine traffic and noise, failed pregnancies, and pollution (elevated pollutant levels have been found in SRKW biopsies dating back three decades).

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation.

Wind alert: Southeasterly winds of 70 km/h near the water forecast for last night and into early this morning. 

BC Ferries cancels sailings to and from Prince Rupert until Thursday.

Hwy 4 closed in both directions, with no detour this time. Geotechnical assessment underway; update at 10am.

NEWS

Looking back at a standout season on the diamond

Maybe it’s because the grass is still green and not white, and the days are beginning to get longer—OK, that’s a bit of a seventh-inning stretch—but if you can believe it, baseball is only a few months away.

If you’re a Jays fan and you’re still feeling the Grinch pinch of coming oh so close to acquiring baseball’s unique pitcher/slugger Shohei Ohtani, only to have the LA Dodgers scoop up the superstar, time hopefully will heal those wounds—but a little local ball couldn’t hurt, either.

The HarbourCats begin their 11th season—tickets already are on sale—in just a few months and Capital Daily hears whispers the team plans to trot out cool new uniforms that recognize West Coast League (WCL) Coach of the Year Todd Haney and his time playing with the Montreal Expos.

As the wind howls outside, we thought this would be a good time to jump into a summery mindset by taking a look back at an incredible season No. 10 for the ‘Cats, who came within a victory of their first WCL title.

And keeping with our Christmas weekend theme of inviting you to review our popular photo essays, here’s another, of a night at the HarbourCats game.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥕 The Gift of Good Food Holiday Fundraiser.

🏀 Congrats to Saanich’s Spectrum High boys basketball—they’re No. 1 in BC Quad-A. Oak Bay is #3.

🏠 Want to age in place? Next Day Access delivers and installs mobility and accessibility products right to your home. Schedule your free in-home assessment today!*

💻️ Now hiring: Corporate Controller - Hospitality at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa.

*Sponsored Listing

For the fourth year in a row, Capital Daily is holding a holiday donation drive! Every dollar our readers donate to Saanich Neighbourhood Place will be matched by our generous local business donors. 

Saanich Neighbourhood Place will use the funds to support inclusive childcare, parent education and support programs, and food equity services. Get all the details here. 

Help us reach our goal of raising $100,000 by the end of the year. Donate now! 

🗞️ In Other News

Oak Bay contest winner pays forward Christmas dinner prize 
The act of kindness afforded some single parents and their kids an opportunity to enjoy a turkey supper, courtesy of the anonymous donor, along with the Oak Bay News, Old Farm Market, and Slaters Meats. [Saanich News]

VicPD officer served up ‘cup of vomit’ on busy Christmas Eve
The officer was trying to get a passenger off a BC Transit bus Sunday when the bus rider threw the cupful. Another officer was assaulted when responding to a call about a man who wouldn’t leave a store, and a woman was arrested after trying to puncture the tires of a series of cars. But there was a nice thing that happened, too. [CTV]

Wind & rain stopped Monday ferry sailings and caused outages
Warnings continue into early this morning. [Times Colonist]

A very new Christmas in Comox Valley
After years apart, Afghan refugee family arrives to begin a new life. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things to do

👻 A Haunted Christmas: Experience this family-friendly, festive Christmas layover at Haunted Manor. Play ping pong or mini-golf. 711 Yates. [Info]

🎇 Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. Ugly Sweater Day. Tonight. 6:45pm-9pm. Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. [Info]

🧓 Chat with a senior. With permission. Anytime.

🎨 A Sense of Place: A conversation between local beauty and multiple mediums. Cedar Hill Rec and Arts Centre. [Info]

🤗 Hug your family and friends. With permission. Anytime.

💲The Greatest Show on Earth. An exuberant sculpture show to raise awareness and funds to address homelessness. Gage Gallery. Today. 11am-5pm. [Info] 

🎵 The Sound of Music: Sing-Along. Vic Theatre. [Info]

🧑‍🎄 Lights of Wonder. A free, family-friendly, accessible, and super-photogenic experience. Performances tonight from Kaleidoscope Studio and Victoria Rock Choir. Centennial Square. 4-9pm. [Info]

📽️ Holiday Movie Night - Die Hard. Enjoy FARO Pizza, too. Oak Bay Beach Hotel. Tonight. 7:15pm. [Waitlist]

🐕️ Pet a dog. With permission. Anytime.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Getting on the Goodside of pastries. [Capital Daily] 

Meet the ship pilots who keep things Strait. [Capital Daily]

Made the boat in seconds flat. A day in the life at BC Ferries. [Capital Daily]

See who really runs things at the BC legislature. [Capital Daily]

Nice day for a White raven. [Photo]

That’s it!

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