Orcas

Fisherman ordered to pay $646,259 for oil spill off San Juan Island

Washington state officials are ordering a salmon fisherman to pay $646,259 in damages and penalties for spilling diesel fuel into Haro Strait as his commercial fishing boat sank off San Juan Island.

Orcas are actually not one species, but three

Researchers say that the killer whales deep in the Pacific Ocean should get their own species name. Bigg's killer whales should have their own, too. And the orca we commonly refer to as northern and southern residents should be considered their own species as well.

Why are these killer whales increasingly showing up in the Salish Sea?

Endangered baby orca J60 missing, presumed dead

The baby orca known as J60 is missing and presumed dead, according to the Center for Whale Research.

'They're our relatives.' Samish Indian Nation prepares to welcome new orca calf to Puget Sound

Since the recent birth of a southern resident orca calf, Coast Salish tribes have begun preparing for the naming ceremony that will officially welcome their new relative to the community.

Baby orca update: It’s a boy!

Orcas don’t have gender-reveal parties (as far as we know).

Newborn orca spotted near Seattle off Bainbridge Island

Beachgoers and whale researchers were excited to spot a newborn calf swimming with the Northwest’s endangered orcas on Tuesday near Seattle.