The tail number on the helicopter is NOX17J. The 'Nox' are a race of beings that were encountered on Stargate SG-1, which Amanda Tapping, Damian Kindler, and Martin Wood all were heavily involved in. The tail number is probably a nod to this association.
In the Sanctuary world the Vampire race was far more intelligent than humans. Helen says the vampire squid is so named because it is very intelligent for a squid. Actually it was so named because of its dark color, the hood-like membrane between its tentacles, and its red eyes.