After more than 100 days with no local sightings, the southern resident orcas were seen again as they briefly visited the marginal Salish sea this weekend.
But that visit was just considered a get-together during what is typically a fascinating whale-watching season.
This visit, which is considered exciting for many tourists, is more like concerning for some observers.
The Orca Behavior Institute says the pods, including the youngest calf born earlier this year, were seen heading south towards Eagle Point in the San Juan Islands.
Institute Director Monika Wieland Shields said they seemed healthy, energized and were happily socializing. Many tourists were very excited to see the orcas in the region again. Be that as it may, Shields said they didn't stay long, because there wasn't much to eat at that party. "These guys, especially in the spring and summer, are focused on Chinook salmon returning to the Fraser River. And as those numbers have declined, we've seen the whales needing to go elsewhere this time of year to find enough to eat."
The pods' brief visit to the marginal sea is seen as a whale culture. The Salish sea is a meaningful location for them.
The sighting was more of a visit than a true return. But the joy of seeing them visit the area was overshadowed by a piece of bad news that a single orca was found in distress near British Columbia at around the same time. Photos of the whale didn't reveal any visible injuries, but he was clearly emaciated and malnourished.
Earlier, the disappearance of orcas that lasted around 100 days spoke volumes: Climate change and a salmon shortage do have an effect on orcas' lives.
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