How Penn Cove’s Orcas Teach Us to Heal the Sea

Introduction

Orcas are amazing and smart animals, and it’s unfair that they are in captivity. For instance, it has harmed many Orcas like L pods, with some of the effects changing their behavior. 

Did you know killer whales are not actually whales…they are classified as dolphins! Killer whales, widely known as orcas, are some of the most interesting and intelligent marine mammals. They live in tight family groups. The two main types of orcas—Resident orcas and Bigg’s orcas— have different diets, behaviors, and even “accents”! Despite the many challenges orcas have faced, there is still hope for their future.

An orca calf jumps out of choppy water, while another orca can be spotted behind it.

Behavior, Biology, and Beyond

Orcas have been the focus of many research projects, yet scientists are still learning a lot about them today. Although all orcas share the same scientific name Orcinus orca, strong evidence suggests there are two distinct groups that should be treated as separate species. So far there are two species of orcas, Residents (Ornicus Ater) and Bigg’s (Ornicus rectipinnus). Scientists once thought orcas were all the same species but separated them by the regions they lived in, which led them to the term “ecotypes.” Ecotypes refer to groups within a species that have adapted to different environments, leading them to have physical and behavioral traits that set them apart. Originally classified as ecotypes, scientists later realized that Residents and Bigg’s orcas were different species due to their many differences. 

A difference between Resident and Bigg’s orcas is their diet, Resident orcas mainly eat fish, like salmon, while Bigg’s orcas hunt marine mammals, like whales and seals. Their Social structures are different too. Resident orcas live in bigger pods with their offspring staying beside their mothers for their entire lives, whereas Bigg’s orcas live in smaller pods and their offspring eventually leave their mothers. Resident orcas have family-specific calls, while Bigg's orcas have regional call types similar to how people have different accents depending on where they live! The differences are not only behavioral, there are also slight differences in their size, coloration, and dorsal‑fin shape. A huge difference between the two species is not physical or behavioral, but within the orca’s DNA! DNA studies, using genetic data collected by researchers,backup the behavioral and morphological clues and show that “the two species likely diverged more than 300,000 years ago and come from opposite ends of the killer whale family tree” (Shark Stewards). 

A black and white image showing orcas being herded into a dock.

A Victory for Wildlife and Community

 L‑Pod is one of three families in the Southern Resident orca community, and its story is both hopeful and worrying. Their numbers go up some years and down other years, so they still need help to stay strong. A big part of their history happened in Penn Cove, Washington, where two men, Ted Griffin and Don Goldsberry started a company and began capturing orcas to sell to aquariums and marine parks in the summer of 1970. One specific whale, Tokitae, was taken and had to live in a tiny tank far away from her family for decades. This event was so traumatic for L Pod that the whales that weren't captured left the area for fifty years and the Southern Resident orcas are still endangered to this day.

In November 2024, L-Pod made a historic return to Penn Cove, crossing the Saratoga Passage at the mouth of Penn Cove—the same place where their relatives were once trapped. Onlookers watched in awe as the whales leaped, breached, spy‑hopped, and tail‑slapped—proof of their strength and perseverance. Although we still don’t—and may never—know exactly why they returned, we do have the conservation efforts of nature advocacy groups and indigenous tribes that advocated for these whales to thank (Orca Conservancy, 2024). Orcas are super unique because of their differences in ecotypes and their advanced societal structures.  We are so happy for L-Pod and the community of Penn Cove on the pod’s return, as their comeback shows that when people join forces wildlife can heal and find its way home, giving us hope for future discoveries about orcas.

Conclusion

When we protect the ocean, orcas like the L-pod family can return to places they once lost. Tokitae, the orca captured and kept in a small tank for decades, shows what happens when wild animals cannot roam free. Recognizing Resident and Bigg’s orcas as separate species is crucial, because it lets scientists tailor conservation plans to each group’s unique needs. Stories like this remind us to stand up for wildlife. Together, we can keep the seas safe so every marine creature has the chance to live, swim, and thrive.

About the Authors

Maya, Melody and Hazel are a part of the Conservation and Environmental Apprenticeship Stewardship Program (CESAP) and the EcoLogik Institute community. They take a special interest in the ocean and animal justice! 

References:

Center for Whale Search. (n.d). CAPTURED! Sold to the highest bidder!. CAPTURED! Sold to the highest bidder!

Business Events Australia. (n.d). Australian Invention Seabin Tackles Ocean Pollution

Australian Invention: Seabin - Business Events - Tourism Australia

Guidesly. (n.d). Penn Cove. Penn Cove, Washington 

NOAA Fisheries. (n.d). Killer Whale. Killer Whale | NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries. (2024, March 27). New Research Reveals Full Diversity of Killer Whales as Two Species Come into View on Pacific Coast. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-research-reveals-full-diversity-killer-whales-two-species-come-view-pacific-coast

Shark Stewards. (2024, September 6). Transient and Southern Resident Orcas Distinctly Different, DNA Shows. Killer Whales Considered Separate Species – Shark Stewards

Orca Conservancy. (n.d). L Pod’s Historic Return to Penn Cove. L Pod’s Historic Return to Penn Cove — Orca Conservancy