A new predator has made the Arctic its home, disrupting the fragile ecosystem and threatening the balance of marine life in ways scientists never expected.

Lydia Amazouz

Published on February 25, 2025

Read : 2 min

A dramatic shift is unfolding in the Arctic Ocean, where killer whales (orcas) -- once blocked by thick ice -- are now establishing year-round populations. As climate change melts polar ice, new hunting grounds have opened for these apex predators, disrupting the delicate balance of Arctic marine life. Scientists warn that this new predator in the Arctic could have severe ecological consequences, threatening native whale species and the Indigenous communities that depend on them.

Scientists Uncover Permanent Arctic Orca Populations

A recent study published in Global Change Biology has revealed that killer whales are no longer just seasonal visitors to the Arctic -- they are staying year-round. Researchers from the University of Manitoba identified two genetically distinct orca populations now living in Arctic waters, a discovery that even surprised the research team.

Tracking these orcas has been a challenge. Using genetic testing from skin and blubber samples, scientists confirmed that these Arctic orcas are so distinct they may not even recognize each other as potential mates. This finding raises intriguing questions about their adaptation, diet, and long-term survival in their new icy habitat.

A Deadly New Predator in the Arctic

The arrival of orcas in the Arctic is more than just an unusual migration -- it's a serious threat to native marine life. Until now, belugas, narwhals, and bowhead whales thrived in the Arctic, protected by thick sea ice that kept predators like orcas at bay. But as the ice recedes, these slow-moving Arctic whales are becoming easy targets.

More:

https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/02/new-predator-is-moving-into-the-arctic/