Friday November 11, 2022
KING 5 News —
The orca pods are showing off in western Washington this week. Thursday marked four days in a row that a “super pod” of orcas was spotted. It even delayed a couple of ferries between Seattle and Vashon Island.
A super pod happens when the J, K and L Southern Resident orca pods interact. It’s been several years since the last time all three pods were seen interacting together, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“It’s unusual for them to stay around this many days in a row but it is normal for them to be in central Puget Sound this time of year,” said Dr. David Bain, the Chief Scientist for Orca Conservancy.
Bain said it’s likely because of an increase in food this year.
“I think our waters were a bit cleaner now that we are traveling less with COVID, and that probably improved the salmon survival, and the whales are finding a lot of salmon here right now,” Bain said. “Also, that means they can form bigger groups and they can stay in the same place for a longer period of time.”