Bhagyashree Chatterjee (she/they) is a Vancouver-based journalist and communications expert, holding a Master of Journalism from the University of British Columbia (UBC). She focuses on people-first stories about community, identity, and systems. 

She’s worked with Al Jazeera, Squamish Chief, the Global Reporting Centre, the Canadian Association of Journalists, and Loose Lips Magazine. She also holds certifications in Indigenous Relations and was a recipient of the UBC Faculty of Arts Graduate Award.

<p>Competitors at Vancouver’s T100 triathlon were expecting a challenge — but not a killer whale sighting.</p>
<p>On Saturday, June 14, a trio of orcas made a surprise appearance just off the shoreline during the international event.</p>
<p>The killer whales swam calmly at Loncaro Beach, and the triathlon commentators were left awestruck. A video of the footage was posted by the T100 Triathlon on social media last week.</p>
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<p>&#8220;The wildlife we have around here, I feel like we&#8217;re in a nature documentary,&#8221; stated one announcer.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m still in awe seeing an orca, basically on the swim course,&#8221; added a second commentator.</p>
<p>Folks on social media were stunned by the sighting.</p>
<p>&#8220;Some days you find motivation, and some days motivation finds you — definitely made me swim faster!&#8221; said one person on Instagram.</p>
<p>&#8220;Well, I’d definitely swim a [personal best] because I’d be stressed to get out of the water ASAP 😂,&#8221; noted another commenter.</p>
<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t believe this happened!! 😱 SO amazing!&#8221; exclaimed one Instagrammer.</p>
<p>This orca sighting is the latest in a string of marine life moments around Vancouver this year, including several whale sightings <a href="https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/whale-sightings-vancouver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this spring</a>.</p>
<h2>Why have there been so many whale sightings around Vancouver?</h2>
<p>This unforgettable triathlon orca moment is just the latest in a wave of recent whale sightings across Metro Vancouver.</p>
<p>From gray whales in West Van to orcas near the seawall and Lions Gate Bridge, 2025 has brought a flurry of marine activity to B.C.’s coastline.</p>
<p>Spring marks the return of migratory whales like humpbacks and gray whales from their tropical breeding grounds to the food-rich waters off B.C, explained Grace Baer, research and project manager with the North Coast Cetacean Society, <a href="https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/whale-sightings-vancouver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a previous interview with Daily Hive</a>.</p>
<p>The Salish Sea also supports year-round populations of Bigg’s (transient) orcas, known to hunt near urban coastlines.</p>
<h2>What to do if you spot one</h2>
<p>If you encounter a whale from a kayak, trail, or shoreline, keep your distance and respect marine mammal safety rules. Federal regulations require people to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Stay at least 400 metres away from orcas in southern B.C.</li>
<li>Stay 100 to 200 metres from all other whales and dolphins, depending on the situation.</li>
<li>Report distressed or injured whales to DFO’s incident line: 1-800-465-4336</li>
</ul>
<p>Planning a sighting of your own? Check out <a href="https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/whale-watching-vancouver">where to go whale watching around Vancouver</a>.</p>
<p>Seen orcas in Metro Vancouver recently? Let us know in the comments.</p>
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Vancouver

A killer whale sighting in Vancouver stunned triathlon swimmers as three orcas swam near them during the T100 race. Here’s what happened.