GALVESTON, Texas – Last week’s viral video of orcas swimming near a Galveston Party Boat had people talking about the wonders of the island’s wildlife. Greg Whittaker, animal husbandry manager and wildlife expert with Moody Gardens, spoke to KPRC 2 about these unexpected visitors of the Gulf and what other animals Galveston visitors can expect to see around the island. Usually, they would be hunting fish such as tuna and smaller dolphin species,” Whittaker said. Dolphins (Pixabay)Sea turtlesSea turtles, according to Whittaker, are usually found in the bay areas of the Gulf, foraging for food. Larger stingrays are usually found in the deeper waters of the Gulf, while smaller types (usually golden colored) are finding clams on the Gulf shoreline, according to Whittaker.

Guests aboard the "New Buccaneers" party boat on Galveston Bay encountered a pod of Orcas swimming away from the boat. GALVESTON, Texas – No, it’s not Sea World, but a group of fishing enthusiasts had an “once in a lifetime” adventure after a pod of orcas rode along with them on a boat. Posted by Galveston Party Boats, Inc. on Wednesday, March 17, 2021Harderman added he thought the orcas were a mix of pilot and killer whales, but many of them were identified as juvenile orcas. AdThe Facebook video posted on the Galveston Party Boats page quickly went viral Thursday, capturing attention nationwide. Orcas such as the species captured on the viral video are known to be endangered, according to NOAA Fisheries.