Washington's Salish Sea logs record July for Bigg's orcas, with no southern residents seen

In Washington’s Salish Sea, Bigg’s killer whales are showing up in notable numbers, while southern resident orcas were not seen in inland waters during July, according to reporting cited by KUOW. The Orca Behavior Institute recorded its highest July total yet for Bigg’s sightings in the Salish Sea. Among the encounters were seven Bigg’s killer whales, mostly from the T36 pod, breaching near Bella Bella Beach in Gig Harbor, and a visit into Shilshole Bay by the Ballard Locks officials said had not occurred so close to the spillway dam. SeaDoc Society scientist Deborah Giles said the shift likely reflects both greater observer awareness and a real increase in their use of the area.