A solitary orca, affectionately admired by residents, tourists, and guides, has returned to the Bay of Fundy for the 20th consecutive year, though sightings of him are infrequent. David Matthews, residing in East Ferry, N.S., has had the privilege of spotting the orca, known locally as Old Thom, on four occasions in recent years. Witnessing the majestic creature’s elegant dorsal fin gliding through the water remains a timeless spectacle for Matthews.
This year, during a whale-watching excursion on September 4, Matthews had the opportunity to see Old Thom once again. He expressed, “We always anticipate the sighting of Old Thom. While rare, when we do spot him, it’s truly awe-inspiring.”
Orcas, commonly referred to as killer whales, are recognizable by their distinctive black and white patterns and prominent dorsal fins. On his sighting of Old Thom this summer, Matthews observed the orca surrounded by a group of 100 dolphins.
Amanda Crocker, a guide at Freeport Whale & Seabird Tours, shared that while whale watchers often expect to see humpback, minke, and finback whales, the presence of an orca in the bay usually comes as a surprise. Last summer, Crystal Richard from Dieppe had a dream come true when she met Old Thom, describing it as the best day of her life, both due to her wedding anniversary and the encounter with the orca.
Richard, who has been an enthusiastic whale watcher for 25 years, documented her meeting with Old Thom off the coast of Grand Manan on her TikTok account, eastcoastmermaid, garnering 28,000 likes. She expressed her amazement at witnessing the orca in its natural habitat and emphasized the rarity and luck associated with such encounters.
Crocker, stationed on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy, acknowledged the rarity of spotting Old Thom despite the widespread interest in the orca. She described the orca’s distinct features, including a tall, straight dorsal fin that rises about six feet above the water, resembling a knife slicing through the waves.
In addition to his striking physical traits, Old Thom’s feeding habits make him unique. Crocker explained that while there are resident and transient orcas with distinct dietary preferences, Old Thom displays characteristics of both types. Locals speculate that Old Thom’s attachment to dolphins stems from being separated from his pod at a young age.
Andrew Westgate, a scientist at the Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station, revealed that Old Thom is believed to have been orphaned as a calf, leading to his independent lifestyle. Westgate noted sightings of Old Thom in various locations, including Maine, New Hampshire, and along the Digby shore, with reports of sightings as late as November. Despite the mystery surrounding his age, Old Thom appears to be a mature orca, making his appearances in the area even more exceptional.