New Orca Pod Sighted in Seattle Waters
A pod of three killer whales, previously unrecorded in the Seattle region, has been observed in waters off downtown Seattle and other regional shorelines over the past month. These orcas were also noted in Vancouver, British Columbia, in March.
Identification and Origin
Researchers track killer whales in the Salish Sea by identifying their fins and saddle patches. This particular pod was not listed in local catalogs.
Following investigation, photos of the pod from Alaska waters last year were located by researchers, according to Shari Tarantino of the Washington-based Orca Conservancy. The pod consists of an adult female and two presumed offspring, including a large young adult male.
These orcas have been designated T419, T420, and T421, with 'T' indicating 'transient'.
A distinguishing characteristic of this pod is the presence of circular scars left by cookie-cutter sharks, indicating time spent in the open ocean where these sharks reside.
The primary hypothesis suggests their origin is Alaska, potentially the Aleutian region, supported by their appearance and the wide range of some Alaskan populations across the North Pacific.
Behavioral Aspects
This transient pod preys on sea mammals, a different diet from the endangered salmon-eating resident orcas of the Salish Sea. The region offers abundant prey such as harbor seals, sea lions, and porpoises.
Their presence has drawn attention from whale watchers and researchers. The article mentions previous orca sightings in the Seattle area, including a pod hunting a seal in November and another hunting a bird in March 2025.