Meet the Transient Orcas — Bigg’s Killer Whales — of Puget Sound
T137A/Jack surfacing in Possession Sound (Photo: Sara Montour Lewis / Our Wild Puget Sound)
Whenever we encounter a pod of killer whales in Puget Sound we scramble to identify them, remember their names (both their alpha-numeric designations and their fun, colloquial names) and connect all the dots of who the individuals are and how they’re all connected. Generally this involves countless google searches and tabs galore open in our browsers, so to save you (and us) from that search madness we decided to pull all of those resources together to create our own master list of the Bigg’s Killer Whales that travel through the wild waters of our beloved Puget Sound.
We try to update this as new information is learned, and as we have our own encounters with them, but for a great ID guide be sure to become a member of the Center for Whale Research. Membership grants you access to ID guides for both the Bigg’s Killer Whales and Southern Resident Killer Whales. When we’re really stumped we dive into the behemoth 300+ page 2019 Towers et al publication, “Photo-identification Catalogue, Population Status, and Distribution of Bigg’s Killer Whales known from Coastal Waters of British Columbia, Canada.”, which is the definitive Bigg’s ID guide (of course, those Bigg’s are going through a baby boom, so there are a lot of little ones that have entered our waters since 2019).
Our list of Southern Resident Killer Whales can be found here.
A note about naming structures for Bigg’s Killer Whales — transients are numbered based on their matriline and birth order and the letters/numbers alternate as new generations are born. For example, T002’s offspring are T002A, T002B, and T002C. T002C’s offspring are T002C1, T002C2, T002C3, and T002C4. T002C3’s first offspring will be named T002C3A.
There are a few instances where the naming structure doesn’t follow that pattern, generally if the relation wasn’t known when the whale was first discovered, but hopefully this explanation helps to understand the naming structure and decipher the relations between these individuals. We’ve also tried to structure the lists below so it’s obvious who the mother is at a quick glance.
There’s a bit of a discrepancy between the official alpha-numeric designations and the way we say them casually. 00’s are generally added to the beginning of the one and two-digit designations to bring the initial numeric value (the number after the ‘T’) up to three digits — for example, Pedder’s official designation is T002B, but she’s also casually referred to as “T2B” or “The T2Bs”. This doesn’t cause a conflict often when the names are said out loud, but it’s good to keep in mind if you’re writing it out, see it written, or trying to find more information about a specific individual.
This isn’t a full exhaustive list of every known Bigg’s killer whale. We’ve included the ones that frequent Puget Sound and add more pods as they’re seen more often in our waters.
These creatures are ever changing, so if you notice something that we’ve missed please let us know in the comments!
Let’s get started!
What Are Bigg’s Killer Whales?
Here in Washington state we have three subtypes of killer whales (the largest member of the dolphin family), the Southern Resident Killer Whales, Bigg’s Killer Whales, and Offshore Killer Whales. While the Southern Resident Killer Whales used to be predictable summer residents in the Salish Sea, as their preferred food source has declined so has their sightings in our inland waters. Sightings of Bigg’s, on the other hand, are on the rise as their population is booming alongside the health of the marine mammal population that they depend on for food.
Family Groups: Bigg’s Killer Whales travel in matrilines, like the Southern Resident Killer Whales, but since they hunt for intelligent marine mammals these groups tend to be quite a bit smaller and stealthier than the SRKWs.
Range: Bigg’s Killer Whales inhabit the western coast of North America, from central California to southern Alaska. While traditionally they were known to roam that entire span quite frequently, more and more they’ve chosen to spend long stretches of time within the waters of the Salish Sea.
Diet: While the Southern Resident Killer Whales primarily eat a diet of fish, preferably Chinook salmon, Bigg’s Killer Whales evolved to eat marine mammals like seals, sea lions and porpoises.
Conservation: There are several great organizations working hard every day to ensure that these orcas are thriving for years to come including Orca Network, Orca Behavior Institute, Wild Orca, Whale Scout, and many others.
The T2Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T002B/Pedder
NOTES
Pedder is a lone female, born in 1979, and is frequently seen traveling with the T60s. She’s also been spotted with the T90s.
T002B is a descendent of the notable T2 matriline of killer whales that were greatly affected by the kill whale capture era of the 1960s and 70s. T002B’s mother, T002 (also known as Florencia or Pointednose Cow), was captured in Pedder Bay in 1970 with T001, T003, T004 and T005. T001 and T002 escaped the net pen they were in 7 months after capture and T002 went on to have three calves, T002A/Bajo, T002B/Pedder, and T002C/Tasu, before disappearing in 2009.
There’s a great article over at Orcazine about the T2s.
PAST MEMBERS
T002B2: 2018-2018
The T2Cs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T002C / Tasu — female, born in 1989
T002C1 / Rocky — male, born in 2002
T002C3 / Lucy — born in 2011
T002C5 — born in 2019
NOTES
See the note above under T002B for the storied history of the T2s
PAST MEMBERS
T002C2/Tumbo: male, 2005-2020
T002C2 had scoliosis that became more pronounced as he aged. Because of this he was unable to hunt or keep up with the rest of the T2Cs, but they shared their food and took turns swimming next to him, which is a stunning sign of the strength of family bonds in orca pods.
T002C4/Kanu: 2017-2021
The T7Bs
NOTES
T007B’s mother was T007/Innis, who was captured on August 16, 1975 in Pedder Bay with her presumed son T009/Kanduke and Nootka III. She was eventually released, but T009/Kanduke was sold to Marineland Ontario and was then sold to SeaWorld Orlando to be used in their breeding program where he died in 1990 of viral leptomeningitis.
PAST MEMBERS
T007/Innis: female, 1961-2013
T009/Kanduke: male, 1971-1990 (died in captivity)
T007A/Arrow: male, 1976-2013
T007C/Blunden: 1990-2002
T007B1: 1995-?
T007B2: 1998-?
T007B5: 2014-2016
CURRENT MEMBERS
T007B/Spiller — female, born in 1982
T007B3/Knox — male, born in 2005
T007B4/Moonraker — male, born in 2010
T007B6/Domino — male, born in 2018
T007B7 — male, born in 2022
The T10s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T010/Langara — female, born before 1964
T010C/Bones — male. born in 1999
PAST MEMBERS
T010B/Siwash: male, 1983-2017
T011A / Rainy — a lone male born in 1978
Frequently travels with T077A or the T100Bs
T011A/Rainy’s mom was T011/Wakana (1964 - 2019)
The T18s + 19s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T018/Esperanza — female, born before 1955
T019/Nootka/Mooyah — female, born before1965
T019B/Galiano — male, born in 1995
T019C/Spouter — male, born in 2001
NOTES
The T18s are a unique pod in the Salish Sea, made up of three generations of orcas. T018 is the matriarch and T019 was named before it was clear that she was the daughter of T018, which is why the naming structure is slightly different for this group (and, admittedly, confusing!)
This group is made up of expert hunters and has been known to predate on minke whales
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
September 2024 — The T19s spent a quick couple of days in the South Sound
PAST MEMBERS
T19A: 1984-1989
The T23 + The T23Ds
CURRENT MEMBERS
T023/Janice/Warmsprings — female, born in 1964
T023D/Axle/Brightly — female, born in 1993
T023D3/Robin — male, born in 2012
T023D4/Sixx/Ross — born in 2015
T023D5 — born in 2019
NOTES
T023/Janice/Warmsprings is also the mother of T023C/Cindy/Freshwater. The T23Cs have split from the rest of the T23s so they are considered their own matriline and are listed below.
T025/Edgecumbe was the mother of T023/Janice/Warmsprings
T023/Janice/Warmsprings was named after Janice Joplin
T023D4/Sixx was named after Nikki Sixx
PAST MEMBERS
T024/Grace/Gooshdeiheen: male, 1974-?
T023A: 1980-1986 (there’s also information circulating that T023A died the year they were born)
T023B: 1985-1985
T023D1/Vispera
T023D2
The T23Cs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T023C/Cindy/Freshwater — female, born in 1990
T023C3/Durban — female, born in 2009
T023C4/Bunzie — born in 2013
T023C5 — female, born in 2018
T023C6 — born in 2023
NOTES
T023C/Cindy/Freshwater is the daughter of T023/Janice/Warmsprings, who is listed above with the T23Ds
T023C/Cindy/Freshwater was named after Cindy Lauper
PAST MEMBERS
T023C1/Haat: 2003-2008
T023C2/Berth: 2007-?
The T26s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T026/Saoirse — female, born before 1966
T026A/Ursula — female, born in 1990
NOTES
T026 was captured in Budd Inlet in 1976, but was eventually released
The T28s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T028/Khaz — female, born around 1972
T028C/Lluvia — female, born in 2013
T028D/Gwaii — born in 2007
T028E — born in 2013
NOTES
T028/Khaz is also the mother of T146/Oamaru, T028A/Slocum, and T028B/Lydonia, who can all be seen below, leading their own matrilines
The T28As
NOTES
T028A/Slocum is the daughter of T028/Khaz
T028A/Slocum has a straight dorsal fin and was presumed to be a male for years
CURRENT MEMBERS
T028A/Slocum — female, born in 1994
T028A1 — born in 2012
T028A2 — born in 2018
T028A3 — born in 2021
The T28Bs
NOTES
T028B/Lydonia is the daughter of T028/Khaz
CURRENT MEMBERS
T028B/Lydonia — female, born in 1997
T028B1 — born in 2015
T028B2 — born in 2018
The T30s
NOTES
The T30s are frequently seen traveling with the T41s
PAST MEMBERS
T030/Elwha: ~1967-2024
CURRENT MEMBERS
T030/Elwha — female, ~1967 - 2024
T030A/Sequoia — male, born in 1986
T030B/Lyra — female, born in 1993
T030B1/Vega — born in 2012
T030B2/Capella — born in 2017
T030B3 — born in 2024
T030C/Salix — born in 2005
The T34s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T034/Grace — female, born before 1969
T034A/Pachamama — female, born in 2007
T034A1* — born in 2019
T034A2 — born in 2024
T034B/Sonder — female, born in 2017
NOTES
At just 2 years old T034A1dispersed from the rest of the T34s and began traveling with other families. They haven’t been seen recently and are presumed to be missing.
The T34s are generally seen traveling with the T37s
There is some speculation that T037/Pizza Fin may be the daughter of T034/Grace
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — with the T37s
The T35s
NOTES
T035/Rooby Roo is also the mother of T038/Graeme and Rooby Roo is frequently seen traveling with the T38s.
The T35As are frequently spotted with the T38As
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — Saratoga Passage + Port Susan
CURRENT MEMBERS
T035/Rooby Roo — female, born in 1970
T035A/Lester — female, born in 1998
T035A1/Opal — female, born in 2010
T035A2/Topaz — born in 2013
T035A3/Garnet — born in 2018
T035A4 — born in 2022
T36 + the T36Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T036/Flapjack — female, born before 1970
T036B/Tattertip — female, born in 1998
T036B1/Bhotia — female, born in 2009
T036B2/Greenfelder — born in 2013
T036B3/Chip* — male, born in 2018
T036B4 — born in 2024
NOTES
In February of 2024 an adorable new calf, T036B4, was spotted by Ocean Wise Research in the Strait of Georgia swimming close to T036B/Tattertip.
T036B3/Chip was last seen in the fall of 2023 and is currently presumed to be missing. We’ll update this guide as soon as we have confirmation from researchers. ♥️
It’s suspected that T036/Flapjack might also be the mother of T137/Loon and T099/Bella
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
December 2024 — T036 + the T36Bs + T037A3 spent the end of November and early December inland in Puget Sound, traveling from Saratoga Passage all the way down to Carr inlet where they even took a little Thanksgiving trip under the Purdy Bridge
PAST MEMBERS
T036C: 2004-2009
IDENTIFICATION
Right side dorsal fins + saddle patches
Left side dorsal fins + saddle patches
Right side eye patches
Left side eye patches
The T36As
NOTES
T036A2 and T036A3 occasionally travel together apart from the rest of the T36As
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
July 2024 — Admiralty Inlet
PAST MEMBERS
T036A4: 2019-2019
Was seen being carried by T036A after death
CURRENT MEMBERS
T036A/Leland — female, born in 1990
T036A1/Tierna — female, born in 2005
T036A1A — 2022 calf!
T036A2/Kailas — female, born in 2012
T036A3/Storm/Mike III — male, born in 2015
T036A5 — born in 2021
T37 + The T37Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T037/Rocky III/Pizza Fin — female, born in 1979
T037B/Harald — female, born in 1998
T037B1/Lance — male, born in 2012
T037B3 — born in 2022
NOTES
T037/Pizza Fin is occasionally seen traveling with the T36s instead of the rest of the T37Bs
There is some speculation that T037/Pizza Fin may be the daughter of T034/Grace and the T37s + T34s are frequently seen traveling together
T037/Pizza Fin is also the mom of T037A/Volker and her matriline continues below with the T37As!
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — with the T34s
PAST MEMBERS
T037B2/Trident: 2017-2021
The T37As
CURRENT MEMBERS
T037A/Volker — female, born in 1994
T037A1/Inyo — female, born in 2007
T037A2/Inky — male, born in 2009
T037A3/Spinnaker —male, born in 2012
T037A4/Crinkle — female, born in 2015
T037A5/Jib — male, born in 2019
NOTES
T037A is known to travel with other groups
T037A1 is dispersed and isn’t traveling with the T37As anymore
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
December 2024 — T036 + the T36Bs + T037A3 spent the end of November and early December inland in Puget Sound, traveling from Saratoga Passage all the way down to Carr inlet where they even took a little Thanksgiving trip under the Purdy Bridge
IDENTIFICATION
Right side dorsal fins + saddle patches
Left side dorsal fins + saddle patches
The T38s
NOTES
T038/Graeme is the daughter of T035/Rooby Roo
T035/Rooby Roo is also frequently seen traveling with the T38s
T038/Graeme is also the mother of T038A/Dana, who has split from the group into her own matriline, The T38As (seen below)
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
July 2024 — Admiralty Inlet
CURRENT MEMBERS
T038/Graeme — female, born in 1980
T038B/Jane — female, born in 2003
T038B1/Cook — born in 2018
T038C/Borrowman — born in 2008
T038D/Falconer — born in 2012
T038E/Hocker — born in 2017
The T38As
NOTES
T038A/Dana is the daughter of T038/Graeme
The T38As are frequently seen traveling with the T35As
PAST MEMBERS
T038A1: 2015-2021
CURRENT MEMBERS
T038A/Dana — female, born in 2000
T038A2 — born in 2020
The T41s
NOTES
The T41s are frequently seen traveling with the T30s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T041/Lawrie — female, born before 1966
T041A/Jemison — female, born in 1988
T041A2/Tree — born in 2013
T041A3 — born in 2018
The T46s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T046/Wake — female, born before 1966 (presumed dead as of 2023)
T122/Centeki — female, born around 1982
T046D/Strider — male, born in 2000
T046E/Thor — male, born in 2003
T046F/Loki — born in 2012
NOTES
T046 was captured in Budd Inlet in 1976, but was eventually released and since then has had many children + grandchildren (see the T46Bs and T46Cs listed below)!
The T46s also weren’t seen for a reported 13 years, causing quite the confusion when they returned. During that time two whales, T122 and T123, had been seen and were given their designations. It was later revealed that T122/Centeki and T123/Sidney are likely also the daughters of T046/Wake. T122/Centeki still travels with the T46s, while T123/Sidney has dispersed and has her own thriving matriline that’s a Puget Sound favorite
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — Saratoga Passage
PAST MEMBERS
T046/Wake; female, ~1966-2023 — Heartbreakingly it appears that Wake passed away in 2023, leaving behind a an incredible legacy here in the Salish Sea.
T046A: ~1980 — There’s been some speculation that T046A and T122 are the same animal, but the current consensus seems to be that they are different individuals.
The T46Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T046B/Raksha — female, born in 1988
T046B1/Tread — female, born in 2003
T046B1A/Tsakani — female, born in 2015
T046B1C — born in 2022
T046B2/Akela — born in 2008
T046B2A — born in 2021
T046B2B — born in 2023
T046B3/Sedna — female, born in 2011
T046B4/Quiver — male, born in 2014
T046B6/Sol — female, born in 2019
T046B7 — born in 2023
NOTES
T046B5 was born in December of 2016 and was observed shortly after being the first observed victim of infanticide in killer whales, as T68 and T68A attacked and killed the neonate calf.
T046B1B/Tl’uk is the famed white orca that caught everyone’s fascination as he progressively got lighter as he got older. Sadly Tl’uk hasn’t been seen with his family since April of 2021.
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
July 2024 — Admiralty Inlet
PAST MEMBERS
T046B5: 2016-2016
T046B1B/Tl’uk: male, 2018-2021
The T46Cs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T046C/Carmanah — female, born in 1994
T046C1/Tsunami — male, born in 2006
T046C2/Sam — female, born in 2009
T046C3/Razor — born in 2013
T046C4/Hobi — born in 2018
NOTES
T046C2 doesn’t always travel with the rest of the T46Cs
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
March 2024 — T046C2/Sam was seen in Puget Sound on March 27 with the T46s, T46B1s, T087, the T124As, and the T124Ds
The T49As
CURRENT MEMBERS
T049A/Nan — female, born in 1986
T049A1/Noah — male, born in 2001
T049A2/Jude — male, born in 2007
T049A3/Nat — male, born in 2011
T049A4/Neptune — male, born in 2014
T049A5/Nebula — female, born in 2017
T049A6/Charlie II — born in 2022
NOTES
Little T049A6 is one of the most beloved calves in the Salish Sea for their dramatic underbite and super feisty spirit. They don’t shy away from a hunt and have mesmerized everyone they’ve come across. They’ve affectionately been given the nickname Charlie II after another Transient Killer Whale with a dramatic underbite, T1/Charlie Chin.
T049A1 + T049A2 are known to travel separately from the rest of the T49As.
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
September 2024 — T049A1 spent September 7th - the 10th in Puget Sound with T036, the T36Bs, T065A5, and T124A1. The rest of the T49s were seen on September 11th without T049A1 + T049A2
The T49Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T049B/Van — female, born in 1992
T049B2/Skyler — born in 2010
T049B3/CharChar — born in 2013
T049B4 — born in 2019
PAST MEMBERS
T049B1/Voyageur: male, 2006-2013
T049C/Janet/Nielson — a lone male born in 1998
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
July 2024 — Admiralty Inlet
The T50s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T050/AL8/Boulder — female born around 1980
T050A/Bolder — male, born in 1995
T050B/Sita — female, born in 1999
T050B1/Blakeslee — born in 2012
T050B2 — born in 2020
T050D/Lyrical — born in 2011
T050E/Grandmama — born in 2013
NOTES
In May of 2023 the T50s were seen attacking a gray whale calf near Cape Foulweather, Oregon
PAST MEMBERS
T050C/Passage: born in 2005
T051/Roswell/Loner — a lone male born in 1981
T054/Seaforth — a lone male born in 1972
The T55s
NOTES
The T55s are rare visitors to Puget Sound, but are usually seen every spring in the northern Salish Sea and occasionally seen in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
CURRENT MEMBERS
T055 — female, born in 1976
T055A — male, born in 1989
T055B — born in 1994
T055B1 — female, born in 2021
T055C — born in 2004
The T59s
NOTES
T059 is also the mother of T060/Pantera, who has started her own matriline, the T60s, which is outlined below
CURRENT MEMBERS
T059 — female, born in 1970
T059A — female, born in 1995
T059A1 — born in 2006
T059A1A — born in 2023
T059A2 — female, born in 2009
T059A3 — born in 2013
T059A4 — born in 2017
T059A5 — born in 2020
The T60s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T060/Panthera — female, estimated to be born in 1980
T060C/Yelnats — male, born in 2001
T060D/Onca — male, born in 2004
T060E/Lynx — male, born in 2008
T060F/Tigris — female, born in 2012
T060G/Uncia — female, born in 2019
NOTES
T002B is also often seen with the T60s
T060C/Yelnets is the doppelgänger of T123A/Stanley, so if you’re trying to ID either of them make sure you take a second look
T060D/Onca + T060E/Lynx are frequently seen traveling together outside of the rest of the family and are affectionately referred to as “The Brothers” locally
PAST MEMBERS
T060A: born before 1996
T060B: 1998-1999
T060B/Casper was grey and possibly had Chidiak-Higashi Syndrome
The T64Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T064B/Amabilidad — female, born in 2002
T064B1/Peaches — born in 2013
T064B1A — born in 2024
T064B2/Pelosi — born in 2019
T63 + T65
CURRENT MEMBERS
T065/Whidbey II — female, born before 1968
T063 / Chainsaw — male, born in 1978
NOTES
T063/Whidbey II and T065/Chainsaw are presumed to be mother/son, or potentially siblings
T063 is one of the most recognizable orcas with his instantly identifiable dorsal fin
T065 + T063 are frequently seen traveling with Whidbey' II’s daughter’s matriline, the T065Bs
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — Whidbey + Chainsaw spent a couple of days in northern Puget Sound, primarily Port Susan, before exited through Deception Pass on November 13th
The T65As
NOTES
T065A3/Amir(a) was thought to be a female until recently when he was confirmed as male. With the sex confirmation he’s known more and more as Amir now, but his name was originally Amira, so that name is still circulating (personally, that’s what we still call him 💕)
Similarly, T065A5 was initially named Elsie, but now that he’s been confirmed as a very independent male some people now refer to him as Indy. He is frequently seen traveling outside of his pod.
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — The T65As, without T065A3/Amira + T065A5/Indy, spent a couple of days in Saratoga Passage in mid November. T065A5/Indy was spotted in Admiralty Inlet in July of 2024, and T065A3/Amira was spotted with T065A5/Indy in Possession Sound in May of 2024
PAST MEMBERS
T065A1: 2001-2008
CURRENT MEMBERS
T065A/Artemis — female, born in 1986
T065A2/Ooxjaa — male, born in 2004
T065A3/Amir(a) — male, born in 2007
T065A4/Ellifrit — female, born in 2011
T065A5/Elsie/Indy — male, born in 2014
T065A6/Callisto — female, born in 2018
The T65Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T065B/Chunk — female, born in 1993
T065B1/Birdsall — male, born in 2011
T065B2/Nettle/Corvis — born in 2019
T065B3 — male, born in 2023
NOTES
The T65Bs are frequently seen traveling with T065B/Chunk’s mom, T065/Whidbey, and Chunk’s presumed brother, T063/Chainsaw
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
October 2024 — Admiralty Inlet
The T68s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T068/Yakataga — female, born before 1970
T068A/Ken — male, born in 1984
NOTES
Mother, T068/Yakatage, and son, T068A/Ken, were the first killer whales to ever be recorded performing infanticide when they attacked and killed neonate T056B5 in 2016
PAST MEMBERS
T068D: 1997-1997
The T68Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T068B/Phylly — female, born in 1987
T068B1/Obsidian — female, born in 2001
T068B1A/Fern — born in 2013
T068B2/Quartz — born in 2004
T068B3/Wilder — born in 2010
T068B4/Chiak — born in 2014
T068B5/Venture — born in 2019
NOTES
T068B2 doesn’t always travel with the rest of the T68Bs
PAST MEMBERS
T068B1B: 2016-2017
T068B1C: 2019-2019
The T68Cs
NOTES
*The 2024 calf of the T68Cs was first spotted in Ketchikan, Alaska on October 4th, 2024 and, at that time, was spotted most frequently with T068C1/Sila. Since then it’s more regularly been seen traveling near T068C3/Jacobsen
The T68Cs spent a month straight in the Hood Canal in the fall of 2021. Read the full post on our journal.
T068C1/Sila live stranded in Klakass Bay, Alaska in 2013 for four hours before being freed by a combination of intervention and the incoming tide
PAST MEMBERS
T068C2/Casper: 2009-2012
Appeared to be a white orca that possibly had Chidiak-Higashi Syndrome, but it’s now thought that the white appearance may have been due to a layer of dead skin
CURRENT MEMBERS
T068C/Bazan — female, born in 1992
T068C1/Sila — born in 2007
T068C3/Jacobsen — born in 2012
T068C3A* — born in 2024
T068C4/Rich — born in 2014
T068C5 — born in 2020
T068C6 — born in 2023
The T69s
NOTES
T069A/Kitimat and T069D have dispersed into their own matrilines, outlined below
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
August 2024 — Admiralty Inlet
PAST MEMBERS
T069B: 1992-1992
CURRENT MEMBERS
T069/Komox — female, born around 1974
T069C/Kye — male, born in 1995
T069E/Kodiak — male, born in 2004
T069F/Kin — male, born in 2010
The T69As
NOTES
In July of 2015 T069A2/Hartley live stranded near Hartley Bay in British Columbia for roughly nine hours until the tide came back up and allowed him to swim freely again.
PAST MEMBERS
T069A1
CURRENT MEMBERS
T069A/Kitimat — female, born in 1989
T069A2/Hartley — male, born in 2006
T069A3/Kʷiisahii — born in 2011
T069A4/Našuk — born in 2016
T069A5/Kismet — born in 2018
T069A6 — born in 2023
The T69Ds
CURRENT MEMBERS
T069D — female, born in 2001
T069D1 — male, born in 2013
T069D2 — born in 2016
T069D3 — born in 2020
T069D4 — born in 2024
The T71s
NOTES
It was discovered in May of 2023 that T071B2/Tasli is missing their left pectoral fin.
PAST MEMBERS
T071A/Hopkins: female, 1995-2010
T071A1
CURRENT MEMBERS
T071/Bonkers — female, born around 1980
T071B/Hood — female, born in 2000
T071B1/Zengo — female, born in 2013
T071B2/Tasli — born in 2018
T071C/Jared — male, born in 2007
T071D/Heise — born in 2011
T071E/Sutton — born in 2017
T072/Young/Captain Hook — a lone male estimated to be born in 1974
The T73s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T073/Doris — female, born around 1969
T074/Andy Bigg — male, born in 1979
T073D/Steve — born in 2005
NOTES
It’s speculated that T073/Doris is the daughter of T079/Gypsy II
T073/Doris has two other daughters that have split from the rest of the T73s and established their own matrilines, the T73As and the T73Cs. She also has a son, T73B/Blue/Kwenis, who is traveling as a lone male
The T73As
CURRENT MEMBERS
T073A/Greg — female, born in 1987
T073A1/Paws — male, born in 2005
T073A2/Trites — born in 2010
T073A3/Jessica — born in 2015
T073B/Blue/Kwenis — a lone male born in 1991
The T73Cs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T073C/Vicky — female, born in 1998
T073C1/Guba — born in 2012
The T75s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T075/Kidney — female, born before 1971
T075A/Stone — male, born in 1991
T075B / Pebbles — female, born in 1994
T075B2/Jasper/Fifi — born in 2015
T075B3/Rubble/Kasnikyu — born in 2017
T075B4 — born in 2021
T075C/Bam-Bam — female, born in 1998
T075C3 — born in 2021
T075C4 — born in 2023
NOTES
After the birth of the 2023 calf (see below) it’s presumed that T075B2/Jasper is a female, however we haven’t seen photographic evidence confirming their sex quite yet
T075 and T075A often travel separately from the rest of the T75s
T075/Kidney is also the mom of T077/Asja
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
July 2024 — T075/Kidney, T075A/Stone, and the T75Cs were spotted in Admiralty Inlet
PAST MEMBERS
T078: female, 1986-1998
T078 was T075’s daughter
T078A: 1998-1998
T075B1/Scars: 2007-2013
T075C1/Carlos: 2017-2021
T075C2/Gavin: 2019-2021
2023 Calf*: In August of 2023 a calf was seen with the T75Bs. Initially it was presumed to be T075B/Pebbles 5th calf, but after further encounters it was speculated to possibly be the first calf of T075B2/Jasper, who would have only been 8 years old at the time of the calf’s birth. This calf survived for roughly a month and there are still a lot of unanswered questions about this little one, but after its death photographs confirmed that T075B2/Jasper is, in fact, a male, so it’s likely that this 2023 calf did belong to T075B/Pebbles.
The T77s
NOTES
T077/Asja is the daughter of T075/Kidney
The T77s are frequently seen traveling with the T65As
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
August 2024 — The T77s spent almost two weeks inland in Puget Sound at the beginning of August
PAST MEMBERS
T077B/The Church: male, 2000-2021
CURRENT MEMBERS
T077/Asja — female, born around 1981
T077C / Neftali — male, born in 2006
T077D / Alcyon — female, born in 2009
T077E/Misneach — born in 2016
T077A/Saulitis — a lone male born in 1996
The T85s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T085/Eve — female, born around 1977
T085A/Zoe — male, born in 1992
T085B/Alison/Ali — male, born in 1995
T085C/Jasmine — born in 2005
T085D/Findlay Farenorth — born in 2014
The T86As
PAST MEMBERS
T086A2: 2005-2008
T086A1A: 2019-2019
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
May 2024 — The T086A1s were seen in Central Puget Sound with T124A1 + T124D
CURRENT MEMBERS
T086A/Eider — female, born in 1988
T086A1/Nahanni — female, born in 2001
T086A1B — born in 2023
T086A3/Tyndall — female, born in 2011
T086A3A — born in 2024
T086A4/Akia — female, born in 2016
T086A5 — born in 2024
T087 / Harbeson — a lone male estimated to be born around 1962
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
April 2024 — T087/Harbeson entered Puget Sound on April 1st and stayed through April 4th
The T90s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T090/Eagle — female, born in 1980
T090B/Piglet — male, born in 2006
T090C/Tigger — female, born in 2010
T090D/Kanga — female, born in 2017
NOTES
T087 / Harbeson frequently travels with the T90s
T088 was T087/Harbeson and T090/Eagle’s mom
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
May 2024 — The T90s were seen in Possession Triangle
PAST MEMBERS
T090A
T093/Joanna — a lone male estimated to be born in 1963
T097/Gull — a lone male born in 1980
Frequently travels with T093
The T99s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T099/Bella — female, born around 1984
T099B/Holly — female, born in 2007
T099B1* — born in 2024
T099C/Barakat — male, born in 2009
T099D/Puck — male, born in 2015
T099E — female, born in 2021
NOTES
T036/Flapjack is the mother of T099/Bella and T137/Loon, making two Puget Sound favorites, Bella and Loon, sisters!
*T099B/Holly was spotted in October 2024 with a young calf and since then hasn’t been seen traveling with the rest of the T99s
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — The T99s, minus T099B/Holly and presumed T099B1. The last time T099B/Holly was confirmed inland in Puget Sound was in August of 2024
PAST MEMBERS
T099A/Kirk: 2003-2012
IDENTIFICATION
Left side dorsal fins + saddle patches
Right side eye patches
GALLERY
The T100s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T100/Hutchins — female, born around 1979
T100B/Freya — female, born in 1997
T100B1 — born in 2010
T100B3 — born in 2024
T100C/Laurel — male, born in 2002
T100E/Tharaya — female, born in 2009
T100F/Estrella — born in 2014
NOTES
T100B and T100B1 often travel separately from the rest of the T100s
It’s presumed that T100/Hutchins is the daughter of T101/Reef
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
April 2024 — The T100s were seen inland in Puget Sound in early April
PAST MEMBERS
T100A: born before 1996
T100D: 2006-2009
T100B2/Potnia: 2016-2017
The T101s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T101/Reef — female, born around 1969
T101A/Rush — male, born in 1993
T101B/Lagoon — male, born in 1997
PAST MEMBERS
T102/Beardslee: 1984-2020
Beardslee was T101/Reef'’s oldest son
T101C: male, 1999-2008
The T109s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T109/Big Momma/Noyes — female, born before 1977
T109D/Elvin — female, born in 2007
T109D1/Tazzie — born in 2018
T109D2 — born in 2021
T109E/Yoda — male, born in 2013
NOTES
The T109s are a very prolific family here in the Salish Sea. View more of T109/Noyes’ offspring, with their very own abundant matrilines below in the T109As, the T109Bs, and the T109Cs
The T109As
CURRENT MEMBERS
T109A/Frio/Runaway — female, born in 1990
T109A2/Fuser — female, born in 2005
T109A2A/Seekah — male, born in 2016
T109A2B/Macoah — born in 2018
T109A2C — female, born in 2021
T109A2D — male, born in 2023
T109A3/Spong — born in 2009
T109A3A — female, born in 2022
T109A4/Garrett— male, born in 2012
T109A5/Argyle — born in 2014
T109A6/Riley — born in 2018
T109A7 — born in 2021
NOTES
T12A also travels with the T109As
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
July 2024 — The T109A2 were in Northern Saratoga Passage on July 23rd
PAST MEMBERS
T109A3/Spong: 2009-2024
T109A1
The T109Bs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T109B/Sem — female, born in 1996
T109B3 — female, born in 2013
T109B4 — born in 2015
T109B5 — born in 2018
T109B6 — born in 2024
PAST MEMBERS
T109B1
T109B2
The T109Cs
CURRENT MEMBERS
T109C/Boca — born in 2002
T109C1 — born in 2012
T109C2 — born in 2017
T109C3 — born in 2022
The T117s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T117 — female, born around 1976
T120 — male, born in 1986
T117A — male, born in 1992
T117B — female, born in 2005
T117B1 — born in 2023
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
October 2024 — On October 12th Puget Sound Express encountered the T117s, minus T117B1, in Admiralty Inlet
The T123s
NOTES
T123/Sidney is the daughter of T046/Wake
In July of 2011 T123/Sidney and T123A/Stanley live stranded on a sandbar near Glenn Island British Columbia. T123C/Lucky was born in late 2012, meaning that Sidney was pregnant with her at the time of the stranding.
PAST MEMBERS
T123B/Thrasher: 2009-2011
CURRENT MEMBERS
T123/Sidney — female, born in 1985
T123A/Stanley — male, born in 2000
T123C/Lucky — female, born in 2012
T123D/Darcy — female, born in 2018
The T124As
CURRENT MEMBERS
T124A/Kittiwake — female, born in 1984
T124A6/Kasuun — male, born in 2016
T124A7 — female, born in 2021
NOTES
T124/Myrtle was the mom of T124A/Kittiwake, T124B (female, 1988-2008), T124C/Cooper, T124D/Field and T124E/Murk (male, 1999-2021)
PAST MEMBERS
T124A3A: male, 2019-2021
T124A3/Wasini: female, 2006-2020
Wasini was found in Tenakee Springs, Alaska, in 2020
T124A5: 2014-2015
The T124A1s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T124A1/Bonapartes — female, born in 1996
T124A1A* — born in 2024
NOTES
*T124A1A has a bit of a mystery surrounding their maternity. While this calf was first seen swimming next to T124A1, it has recently been spotted more closely associated with T124A4, even when T124A1 isn’t present, so it’s possible that T124A1A is instead T124A4B. (Source: Bay Cetology)
Bonaparte is the daughter of T124A/Kittiwake and can sometimes be seen traveling with the rest of the T124As, but travels separately often enough that she’s usually listed separately when seen, and has now officially started her own matriline with the birth of T124A1A
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
September 2024 — T124A1 (without T124A1A/T124A4B) spent September 7th - the 10th in Puget Sound with T036, the T36Bs, T049A1, and T065A5
The T124A2s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T124A2/Elkugu — female, born in 2001
T124A2A/Agafia — male, born in 2013
T124A2B/Litton — female, born in 2016
IDENTIFICATION
Rights side dorsal fins + eye patches
The T124A4s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T124A4/Sabio — female, born in 2010
T124A4A — female, born in 2021
NOTES
*T124A1A has a bit of a mystery surrounding their maternity. While this calf was first seen swimming next to T124A1, it has recently been spotted more closely associated with T124A4, even when T124A1 isn’t present, so it’s possible that T124A1A is instead T124A4B. (Source: Bay Cetology)
T124C/Cooper — a lone male born in 1992
T124C/Cooper is also known as AL18
The T124Ds
CURRENT MEMBERS
T124D/Field — female, born in 1996
T124D1/Salish II — born in 2014
T124D3 — female, born in 2021
PAST MEMBERS
T124D2/Seretse: 2017-2021
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
August 2024 — Admiralty Inlet
The T125A/Jetsam — a lone male estimated to be born in 1998
NOTES
Jetsam is usually seen traveling with his presumed brother, T128/Flotsam
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
May 2024 — T125A/Jetson + T128/Flotsam were spotted in Hood Canal
The T128/Flotsam — a lone male estimated to be born in 1988
NOTES
Flotsam is usually seen traveling with his presumed brother, T125A/Jetsam
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
May 2024 — T125A/Jetson + T128/Flotsam were spotted in Hood Canal
The T137s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T137/Loon — female, born in 1983
T137A/Jack — male, born in 2002
T137B/Tempest — female, born in 2006
T137D/Wright — female, born in 2012
NOTES
T137A had a major peduncle injury in 2019, thought to be caused from a sea lion bite, and has since made a great recovery and seems to be thriving
It’s suspected that T36/Flapjack might also be the mother of T137/Loon, along with T099/Bella
View our full encounter with the T137s in our journal post, here!
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
November 2024 — The T137s spent a few days in Saratoga Passage in mid November
PAST MEMBERS
T137C: 2010-2010
IDENTIFICATION
Left side dorsal fins + saddle patches
Left side dorsal fins + saddle patches
Left side eye patches
GALLERY
The 146s
CURRENT MEMBERS
T146/Oamaru — female, born in 1987
T146A/Oma — female, born in 1999
T146A1 — born in 2018
T146A2 — born in 2023
T146B/Chiloe — male, born in 2002
T146C/Svaha — female, born in 2004
T146C1 — born in 2019
T146D/Leah — born in 2008
NOTES
T146/Oamaru is the daughter of T028/Khaz
T146B/Chiloe + T146C/Svaha don’t always travel with the rest of the T146s
In 2021 T146D stranded in the rocks on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska and finally returned to the sea six hours later once the tide came in (video below)
RECENT SIGHTINGS IN PUGET SOUND
April 2024 — The T146s briefly entered Admiralty Inlet with the T75Bs, T125A, and T128
PAST MEMBERS
T146E/Basho: 2011-2020
@aroonmelane What rescuing a beached orca looks like #whale #orca #killerwhale #alaska ♬ Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) - Edison Lighthouse
The T167s
NOTES
T167/Walpole’s mom is T166/Hobart
The T167s spend most of their time in southeast Alaska and are rare visitors to the Salish Sea
CURRENT MEMBERS
T167/Walpole — female, born in 1992
T167A/Doniol — male, born in 2010
T167B/Valcroze — born in 2015
T167C — female, born in 2020
