New Orca Calf Descends from ‘Budd Inlet Six,’ the Last Killer Whales Captured in U.S. Waters in 1976

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The black and slightly orange Bigg’s killer whale was spotted swimming with its mother, Sedna, in the Salish Sea

Sarah Kuta – Daily Correspondent

April 3, 2025 1:16 p.m.

In March 1976, SeaWorld contractors conducted a controversial operation to capture a family group of orcas known as the Budd Inlet Six. This event took place at Budd Inlet, located in the southern region of Puget Sound. Utilizing a combination of underwater explosives, aircraft, and boats, these individuals attempted to ensnare the orcas, aiming to relocate them to marine parks for entertainment purposes.

Despite possessing a federal permit for the capture, the operation drew fierce criticism. Ralph Munro, who served as an aide to Washington Governor Dan Evans at the time, found the scene alarming as he sailed nearby. He vividly recalled the distressing sounds as the whales attempted to evade capture. “It was awful to see, the whales screaming in terror,” Munro expressed in an interview with the New York Times in 1987. He remarked that witnessing such cruelty was akin to experiencing a deep moral injustice.

Decades later, Munro reflected on that day with similar distress. He likened the experience to witnessing violence against a pet, insisting that the act of capturing the orcas was inhumane.

The orcas, categorized as Bigg’s killer whales, sparked significant public uproar. This resulted in a media frenzy and a successful legal initiative largely led by Munro, which eventually led to their release. Following this event, SeaWorld conceded to cease further captures of orcas in Washington, leading to the end of orca hunts across the United States.

Ralph Munro, who later served multiple terms as Secretary of State for Washington, passed away on March 20 at the age of 81. His contributions to orca conservation were acknowledged on the same day with the sighting of a new calf, a descendant of one of the Budd Inlet Six, in the Salish Sea.

The newborn calf, named T046B3A, was observed alongside its mother, the 14-year-old Sedna (T046B3). Sedna’s grandmother, Wake (T046), was among the six orcas captured decades ago. This lineage highlights the resilience of a family whose existence was nearly obliterated nearly 50 years ago, as noted by a statement from the Pacific Whale Watch Association.

Wake is known to have given birth to at least eight calves, leading to a total of 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, strengthening the presence of Bigg’s killer whales in the region.

“Without Ralph Munro’s courageous actions, it’s likely that at least 30 Bigg’s killer whales would not exist today,” the association noted. “Currently, this population is thriving in the waters of the Salish Sea.”

Bigg’s killer whales inhabit the North Pacific Ocean and display distinct genetic and cultural attributes compared to the resident orcas, who are known to live in integrated family pods predominantly feeding on salmon. In contrast, Bigg’s killer whales are more nomadic, hunting marine mammals such as porpoises, seals, and sea lions. Although they often share the same coastal environments, the two populations do not interbreed.

According to estimates, there are approximately 380 Bigg’s killer whales and over 300 northern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea, while the endangered southern resident killer whale population has dwindled to just 73 individuals. Researchers attribute the disparity in population sizes to differences in prey availability, varying threats to survival, and distinct hunting techniques.

The newly spotted Bigg’s calf was seen in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca among a large group of orcas. Since its initial sighting, it has been observed on multiple occasions, indicating a promising start to its life.

Tomis Filipovic, a wildlife photographer from Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours, who was one of the individuals to spot the calf, described the scene as exhilarating, noting the presence of several related matrilines and a significant number of younger whales in the group. Based on its distinctive skin folds and orange coloration, experts estimate that the calf is approximately one to two weeks old.

According to marine biologists, baby orcas exhibit a black and orange coloration due to a thinner layer of blubber at birth, allowing blood vessels to be closer to the skin surface. The calf still bears the remnants of its fetal folds, a sign of its recent birth.

“When a calf is curled up in its mother’s womb, it develops wrinkles in its skin,” explained Erin Gless, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, in a statement to CityNews Vancouver.

Source
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