Source: http://russianorca.com/
On the 18-19 of January a group of experts visited the “whale jail” in Srednaja bay of Primorsky kray for the inspection. The group included killer whale scientists from FEROP. We used the inspection data to make a photo identification catalog of 11 killer whales kept in Srednaja bay. They are Alexandra, Kirill, Vitas, Vasilievna, Harja, Leha, Forest, Gaika, Zina, Zoya and Tihon.
Killer whales could be identified by the individual shapes of their eye patches and saddle patches that don’t change from year to year. Eye patches could be used for identification from birth. Saddle patches usually become visible in the second or third year. Besides the eye patch and saddle, the dorsal fin shape, marks on the dorsal fin’s trailing edge, and scars on the body are also used for identification. Scars can stay visible for many years.
You can download the identification photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xrhuwf7hc63r44t/AAAHFFdrsPake4io3EtG457aa?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR0eINtmJzQiRxzElesaZBrVzdyDNNRAQetBcNG_WvYkfmnn3Sk0tl_3yko