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Pacific Northwest whale stories, including new babies and tips to spot orcas

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of articles about whales in the Pacific Northwest highlights new births and unusual behaviors.

One story focuses on a killer whale becoming a first-time mom with a calf spotted in the Salish Sea. In other news, orcas were seen making tools from underwater plants to massage each other.

Lastly, an elusive Bryde’s whale was found washed ashore, sparking concern due to its rarity in northern waters.

A Bigg’s killer whale calf is seen swimming alongside its mom in the Salish Sea off Washington. By Caio Ribeiro

NO. 1: KILLER WHALE BECOMES MOM FOR FIRST TIME. SEE HER ‘LITTLE PUMPKIN’ SWIM OFF WASHINGTON

Photos show the baby’s fetal folds, a whale watching group said. | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

open seas in the ocean

NO. 2: BABY KILLER WHALE SPOTTED WITH FIRST-TIME MOM NEAR WASHINGTON, PHOTOS SHOW

This whale population is critically endangered. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

A “rarely seen” Bryde’s whale was recently found dead on the coast of Canada, photos show. The finding was described as deeply disturbing.

NO. 3: ELUSIVE SEA CREATURE SEEN ON CANADA COAST. SEE WHY OFFICIALS ARE ‘DEEPLY CONCERNED’

The species was described as “a very unusual visitor.” | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brendan Rascius

drifting in open sea

NO. 4: FIRST BABY HUMPBACK WHALE OF SEASON SEEN SWIMMING WITH MOM OFF WASHINGTON. SEE IT

This is Big Mama’s eighth calf, the conservation group said. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

Orcas have been seen using seaweed to make tools to groom one another, according to a new study.

NO. 5: DRONES SPOT ‘FIRST EVIDENCE’ OF ORCAS MAKING TOOLS, STUDY SAYS. ‘REMARKABLE’

“We were amazed when we first noticed this,” one of the researchers said. | Published June 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brendan Rascius

Bigg’s killer whale ‘Jack’ in Puget Sound. By Alli Montgomery, FRS Clipper (PWWA)

NO. 6: WHERE ARE THE BEST SPOTS TO SEE ORCAS IN PIERCE COUNTY? TIPS FOR SHORE SIGHTINGS

A reporter spoke with seasoned whale watchers about the best places to catch a glimpse of the marine mammals. | Published July 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.