Mystery orcas from afar thrill Seattle-area whale watchers Three mystery whales have been surprising whale watchers from Canada to Olympia. John Ryan
Rare orca superpod comes to Seattle They came together Sunday evening not far from Port Townsend. Why, no one can say for sure, except the participants themselves — and no humans speak their language. John Ryan
Endangered orcas return to Puget Sound without newborn J64, presumed dead Almost the entire population of southern resident killer whales gathered in central Puget Sound on Sunday, but the newest member of J Pod, a newborn known as J64, was not among them. John Ryan
Scientists hope underwater fiber-optic cables can help save endangered orcas Scientists hope that the same hair-thin strands that carry internet signals can be transformed into a continuous underwater microphone to capture the clicks, calls, and whistles of passing whales — information that could help save endangered orcas. Associated Press
Newborn orca spotted with Northwest's endangered J Pod The orca J pod has been very active in Central Puget Sound waters Friday, and they've got reason to be animated: There's a new calf. Paige Browning
Bolder efforts needed to save Northwest's endangered orcas, report finds Efforts to save the Northwest’s endangered orcas are not working on either side of the U.S.-Canada border, according to an international panel of scientists. John Ryan
Another baby orca spotted with Northwest's endangered J Pod It is the fourth calf born to the southern resident orcas since December. Two of the four have died already. John Ryan
Killer whales amaze Seattle onlookers with a rarely seen bird hunt A pod of orcas swam close to shore and amazed onlookers in Seattle by treating the whale watchers to the rare sight of the apex predators hunting a bird. Associated Press
Does that orca have a baby bump? Drones can tell from the air Orcas, like humans, get baby bumps in the early months of pregnancy and grow larger as the pregnancy advances. Researchers say they can now spot those underwater baby bumps from the air and keep better tabs on the maternal health of whales. John Ryan
