White orca Frosty, now 4, spotted off California with transient pod CA216
A light-skin orca dubbed Frosty was spotted Monday, April 29, off Newport Beach frolicking alongside a pod of killer whales that always brings a buzz when it makes a surprise appearance off of the Southern California coast.
“It’s incredible just to see them, in general,” said Newport Landing Capt. Dani Fasser, who first spotted the pod just a few miles from shore.
Frosty the famous orca, a unique creature that has a grayish-white tone, was spotted with a CA216 pod off Newport Beach on April 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Delaney Trowbridge/Newport Coastal Adventure)
Frosty the famous orca, a unique creature that has a grayish-white tone, was spotted with a CA216 pod off Newport Beach on April 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Delaney Trowbridge/Newport Coastal Adventure)
Frosty the famous orca, a unique creature that has a grayish-white tone, was spotted with a CA216 pod off Newport Beach on April 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Delaney Trowbridge/Newport Coastal Adventure)
Frosty the famous orca, a unique creature that has a grayish-white tone, was spotted with a CA216 pod off Newport Beach on April 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Delaney Trowbridge/Newport Coastal Adventure)
When Fasser noticed a lighter skin tone as the orca emerged from under the ocean’s surface, creating a fluorescent green glow underwater, she said she knew it was the moment she’s waited a long time to see.
“I was like. ‘Oh my gosh,’ it’s happening. It’s finally happening,” she said of the Frosty sighting.
Researchers have kept a close eye on the distinct orca, wondering if it would survive, said Newport Coastal Adventure Capt. Ryan Lawler.
A unique orca named “Frosty” was spotted off Palos Verdes on April 23, 2023, traveling up the Santa Monica bay with its pod of killer whales. It was first spotted in 2019, shown here, as a calf) (Photo courtesy of Ryan Lawler/Newport Coastal Adventure)
The almost-albino orca most likely has a rare genetic disease. The orca’s appearance has changed through the years – it had a nearly completely white-gray tone when first spotted and now has a darker dorsal fin and face.
While other orcas with the same discoloration have died at a young age, Frosty is now about 4 years old, so researchers will collect imagery to check on his health.
“It’s exciting because it’s an orca that we’ve all been holding our breath about,” Lawler said. “It really is a celebrity orca sighting.”
White orca Frosty, now 4, spotted off California with transient pod CA216 News A light-skin orca dubbed Frosty was spotted Monday, April 29, off Newport Beach frolicking alongside a pod of killer whales that always brings a buzz when it makes a surprise appearance off of the Southern California coast. “It’s incredible just to see them, in general,” said Newport Landing Capt. Dani…
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