Where Are The Whales?

Wednesday, July 7, 2004
SEATTLE – It is getting late and a large pod of orcas have not yet returned to the San Juan Islands.

K-pod is usually seen swimming and feeding around the San Juan Islands by April or May. The latest it's ever made an appearance is late June. But so far, the pod has not made an appearance.

Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research is accustomed to surprises during his 29 years of researching local orcas. But this new development - the current no-show status of K-pod - is highly unexpected.

"We've never before seen them later than June 26," he said.

But now, they're still not here and seven members of l-pod are missing as well.

Some local experts like Fred Felleman of the Orca Conservancy says not to worry yet, K-pod's absence may be a sign of an improving ocean.

"Now we're starting to see times of fish abundance and so it may not be necessary for these whales to all fit into the constricted waters of Harrow Strait where the fish density would be highest, if there's fish density all over the place," he said.

K-pod, which is a close relation to Luna the lonely orca, was last seen near Tofino, British Columbia – very close to where Luna is living.

Experts hope if they're still in the area, the local tribe could lure Luna directly to the pod reuniting them in the wild.

But whether that happens or not, Balcomb believes the missing whales should serve as a wake-up call to the human residents of the Puget Sound, especially if they spend the entire summer away from familiar waters.

"It would mean that we're losing an indicator of a healthy ecosystem," he said. "We want them to stay here so we know this place is healthy for us, too."

If you think you see members of K- or l-pod and are able to get photographs of them, you're asked to call the Center for Whale Research at their toll free number at 1-866-ORCA-NET.