Without doubt, there is a huge predator in Okanagan Lake, commonly referred to as Ogopogo. As I have previously documented, this animal is almost certainly an ichthyosaur, a prehistoric swimming animal, thought to be extinct. It is classified as a reptile, even though the evidence suggests that it is a mammal. Yet the latest information I have received, suggests the existence of a second species of apex predator, one which matches the description of an ancient species of whale, also thought to be extinct, that of basilosaurus.
Of course, apex predators kill each other at every opportunity, so the idea of two apex predators existing, in one fresh water lake, may sound rather unlikely. At least, that was my opinion. Now I am not so sure. There have been reports of sprays of water rising from the surface of the lake, similar to the spray released by whales, when they first come to the surface. Whalers used to watch for these sprays when hunting whales, and the crew would announce ”thar she blows”! It was proven to be an effective hunting technique, so effective that the population of whales was severely depleted. Now that strict hunting regulations have been put into effect, the population of whales has steadily increased.
The second piece of information that has come to my attention, has been provided by scuba divers. They report the existence of ”tracks” on the bottom of the lake. Clearly something has been ”walking” underwater!
All scientists are agreed that there was a time, fifty million years ago, when all whales had legs and walked on land. Then as different species of whales took to the water, they gradually lost their legs, as they had no use for them. From an evolutionary viewpoint, this makes perfect sense. Nature has no use for appendages which serve no useful purpose.
The point being that if basilosaurus still exists, and if it still has legs, then it must use those legs! Otherwise, it would have lost them, many millions of years ago. Perhaps the best way to proceed is to compare them to species which still exist.
Possibly the closest living relative to basilosaurus is the hippopotamus, or hippos. These animals spend the day light hours in the water, coming out of the water to graze, only in the coolness of the night. They consume a great deal of vegetation, mainly in the form of grass, although they have also been known to eat meat.
It is entirely possible that basilosaurus still exists, and has adopted a similar life style. They are apex predators and consume a great deal of meat, but may also consume vegetation. Assuming that to be the case, then they may come out of the water only after dark. At that time they may walk on land, which would explain the continued existence of the legs on this whale. It would also explain the fact that they are rarely seen.
We can compare them to other apex predators, in other parts of the world, and in particular Africa. On the plains of that continent, we have lions and hyenas living together, sharing the same habitat, although certainly not peacefully. The scientists who study those animals are convinced that they hate each other! Nothing else can explain the enthusiasm with which members of one species torment the other! In fact, members of each species go to considerable length, and on a regular basis, to make the lives of the members of the other species, as miserable as possible. Yet they are so evenly matched, and the plains are so vast, that neither species has managed to eradicate the other.
It is entirely possible that a similar situation exists in Okanagan Lake. We may have two apex predators, each killing the other at every opportunity, as is characteristic of apex predators. Yet due to the size of the lake, one is unable to wipe out the other.
Then again, there may be only one apex predator in Okanagan Lake, and that predator may not be an ichthyosaur. I could be completely mistaken. Not for the first time, I might add. The important thing is that we prove the existence of this animal. With that in mind, it is important that we consider all possibilities.
Gerald McIsaac Science Project 