Humpback whale breaching in Vancouver harbour spotted by Burnaby seniors

Alexis Zornio was just about to start her weekly meditation class at a Burnaby retirementhome onWednesdaywhen nature decided to derail what was supposed to be a distraction-free moment.

Zornio said one of the residents came in and excitedly announced she had just seen a whale breaching in Burrard Inlet north of the high-rise retirement complex located in Burnaby Heights, just east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.

"I kind offreaked out, because I've been waiting to see whales out there," said Zornio, who runs classes and recreation programs at the Seton Villa Retirement Centre.

"We all ran outside to the balconies ... then all of a sudden, right away, as soon as we got out there, that's when the jump happened the breach."

"I just thought, oh gosh, I hope I got that on video," Zornio said.

Humpback whale spotted breaching in Vancouver harbour

4 years ago

Duration 0:23

Residents of a Burnaby, B.C., retirement home spotted a whale breaching in Burrard Inlet on May 13, 2020.

Zornio said they announced the whale sighting to the other residentswho thenspent close to half an hour with their eyes glued to the inlet, watching the animal swim back and forth around a docked ship.

""They were so excited," said Zornio. "We have residents who have lived here for over 30 years and they've never seen whales before."

Zornio said residents aren't currently allowed face-to-facefamilies visitsdue to pandemic restrictions.

She said the whale's appearance was the hot topic for their phone calls with loved ones that night.

"It was just a moment for everyone to enjoy something exciting that's never happened before."