A rare encounter with orcas, commonly known as killer whales, has recently been documented by researchers off the coast of Eleuthera, The Bahamas. The sighting, which included two individuals previously recorded in the region, has sparked both excitement and concern among scientists. Natalie Hodges, a researcher at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI), led the team that observed the orcas during a deep-sea survey focused on beaked whales in the Exuma Sound. Hodges described the experience as “really exciting” and highlighted the cultural significance of orcas, particularly her personal connection from her time in British Columbia. One of the orcas identified has been visiting Bahamian waters since 1995, underscoring the area’s ecological importance. The orcas are believed to be mammal-eating ecotypes, preying on smaller whale species, which Hodges noted as a positive indicator of a thriving ecosystem. However, the sighting also revealed a concerning detail: one of the orcas appeared to be entangled in fishing gear, a condition that has persisted for some time and poses significant risks to the animal’s health. Hodges’ research aims to understand the distribution and habitat use of deep-diving toothed whales in the Exuma Sound, a region home to 14 documented species. Her work has gained urgency due to the ongoing SpaceX Falcon 9 booster landings in the area, which introduce industrial noise that could disrupt marine life. A recent stranding of a Gervais’ beaked whale, occurring just one week after a SpaceX landing test, has raised alarms about the potential impact of noise pollution on these sensitive species. Historical mass strandings in The Bahamas have been linked to naval sonar activity, further emphasizing the vulnerability of marine mammals to anthropogenic noise. Despite these concerns, the orca sighting serves as a testament to the richness of Bahamian marine biodiversity and the need for continued conservation efforts.