As if timed to perfection, B.C.鈥檚 endangered southern resident killer whales returned to the Salish Sea after more than two months away, making a splash right on cue for World Orca Day.
The elusive family of killer whales known as J pod, made a surprise return to inland waters on July 14. The pod was seen travelling north up Haro Strait, ending the 75-day drought since their last confirmed sighting in the area.
Travelling with the pod were calves J62 and J63, confirmed a social media post by the Orca Behaviour Institute.
The news has thrilled Shari Tarantino, executive director for Seattle-based organization Orca Conservancy.
"After a 2.5-month absence, the southern resident killer whales returned to inland waters on none other than World Orca Day,鈥� she said.
鈥淭heir return is a powerful reminder that they are still holding on and that the need to secure their future has never been more urgent."
Tarantino had previously voiced concerns about the whales鈥� absence, linking it to the record-breaking heat wave that hit B.C.'s South Coast in June 2021.
High river temperatures that year may have impacted this year鈥檚 return of chinook salmon, which follow a four- or five-year lifecycle.
Due to the chinook shortage, Tarantino speculated the whales may have been ranging farther or arriving later than expected in the Salish Sea.
An encounter with all three southern resident pods 鈥� J, K and L 鈥� on July 2 seemingly confirms Tarantino鈥檚 theory.
According to a report by the Centre for Whale Research, while on route to Bamfield to begin the annual southern resident killer whale census, the team located the individuals from all three pods in waters on the west coast of Vancouver Island, near Carmanah Point lighthouse.
The Centre for Whale Research's last census in 2024, indicated a population decrease from 75 to 73 individuals.
This month, scientists from Canada, the U.S. and Europe called for "urgent and bold action" to save the endangered killer whales from extinction 鈥渂efore it鈥檚 too late.鈥�
A report by the group makes 26 science-based recommendations to aid recovery, including finalizing and implementing vessel noise reduction targets, and phasing out the use of chemicals that contaminate the whales鈥� food chain.
They also say the southern residents should have "priority access" to the early runs of chinook salmon, which return to the Fraser River in the spring and early summer, through fishing closures.