The Orca Project Founded by Dr. Ingrid N. Visser in 1992, The Orca Project was the first research project dedicated to orca in the South Pacific. On-going research includes photographic identification of individual orca, as well as behavioural observations. Educating the public about these animals has been a high priority, therefore findings are published in scientific and popular format. Originally, research was carried out only in New Zealand waters, however the project is working in association with other researchers to expand into other areas.
Information is collected from various sources such as tourists and researchers.
Analysis of data aims to increase knowledge about the distribution, population dynamics, foraging behaviour and habitat requirements of killer whales in Antarctic waters. Once sufficient data has been compiled it will be hosted on this web site. Adoptions allow the public to personally become involved in orca research, and contribute to the education program. This is thought to be derived from the Latin word orcus, meaning the lower world, and therefore it is sometimes translated to mean demon dolphin. However, there are also many different common names for the species.