Ancient Sanctuary: Orcas' 20,000-Year-Old Refuge Discovered in Northern Pacific

Researchers have discovered a 20,000-year-old refugium for orcas in the northern Pacific near Japan, showing that the orca pods living near Nemuro Strait are descendants of orcas that settled there during the last ice age. The orcas in this region have distinct genetic diversity and vocal repertoires, indicating their conservative and tradition-bound nature. This finding provides insights into how orcas may handle current and future climate changes, suggesting that they may move northward in small family or pod groups. The discovery also highlights the need to classify orcas into different ecotypes, as their diet preferences significantly impact the ecosystem and fishing practices.