SALISH SEA, Wash. – Whale watchers in Washington state and British Columbia waters spotted a record number of Biggs killer whales on Thursday, March 31st.
The Pacific Whale Watch Association says 72 whales were reported.
Sightings ranged from Hood Canal to Vancouver Island’s Campbell River region, with the largest group of 19 spotted off San Juan Island.
Biggs killer whales are referred to as transients as they were originally thought to just be passing through the region.
They’re genetically different from Puget Sound’s struggling southern resident orcas that feed on chinook salmon.
Biggs whales hunt sea mammals and their numbers have remained healthy.