WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T023 / T023Ds
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T023D3 "Robin" surfacing at sunset in the San Juan Islands, Washington.
WUTA WHALES & WILDLIFE · FIELD GUIDE
Bigg’s Killer Whales of the Salish Sea
A living field guide to the matrilines, individual whales, hunting culture and histories of the mammal-eating killer whales encountered throughout Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.
Last fact review: August 29, 2026
Living catalogue · identities and family status can change
Search by T-number, nickname or family name. We’ll take you directly to the matching catalogue results.
START HERE
Meet the mammal hunters
Bigg’s killer whales were historically called “transients” because early researchers encountered them less predictably than fish-eating Resident killer whales. Decades of photo-identification have revealed a more complex picture: these whales are highly social, family-centered predators, and many matrilines show recurring seasonal patterns and preferred parts of the coast.
Their lives are built around marine-mammal hunting. Seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and even other whales can become prey. Because many of those animals can hear an approaching predator, Bigg’s often travel and hunt quietly, relying heavily on passive listening and using echolocation more selectively than fish-eating Residents.
Small groups are part of that hunting strategy. Immediate-family travel groups commonly contain only a few whales, which makes both hunting and sharing a kill more efficient. But “small group” does not mean antisocial: multiple matrilines regularly meet, travel together, socialize, breed and allow young whales to play with relatives from other branches of the wider community.
Dorsal-fin shape, saddle patches and scars help researchers identify individual killer whales.
3–6
A typical core family-group size for Bigg’s that remain together, helping mammal hunters stay stealthy and coordinate prey sharing.
385
Whales in the 2024 coastal subset of the threatened West Coast Transient population—the animals most consistently using coastal waters.
945
Individual Bigg’s killer whales documented in British Columbia across the 1958–2024 photo-identification record; 571 were considered alive in 2024.
1,860
Unique Bigg’s sightings confirmed by Orca Behavior Institute in the Salish Sea during 2025, another record year.
HOW THE IDs WORK
Follow the maternal line
Bigg’s IDs are built around matrilines. A female can receive a designation such as T65A; her calves then receive numbers in birth order, creating IDs such as T65A2, T65A3 and T65A4. When a daughter later has calves and begins traveling as a separate family unit, her branch can become its own recognized matriline.
T65→T65A→T65A4→next generation
Why are there exceptions?
The catalogue grew over decades. Some whales were assigned identifiers before researchers understood exactly how they were related, so not every family follows the ideal letter-number sequence. The T18/T19 family is a classic example.
Why do daughters split off?
As families grow, adult daughters can begin traveling with their own calves apart from the older matriarch. That keeps hunting groups smaller while preserving strong relationships with the larger extended family.
HOW THEY LIVE
Quiet hunters. Deeply social whales.
Their hunting style explains much of what makes Bigg’s look different from Resident killer whales—but the quieter surface behavior can hide an extremely rich social life.
HUNTING
Stealth first
Marine mammals can hear danger coming. Bigg’s often reduce vocal activity while searching for prey and make heavy use of passive listening before a hunt.
FAMILY
Matrilines are home
Mothers, sons, daughters and grandchildren form the core social unit. Adult males frequently remain tied to their maternal family throughout life.
COMMUNITY
Families still come together
Separate matrilines can join for hours, days or longer. These gatherings may include socializing, breeding, prey sharing and energetic play among younger whales.
SCIENCE & CONSERVATION
A growing population that still needs protection
Bigg’s killer whales are increasing in coastal British Columbia, but population growth does not erase their conservation status or the pressures that affect a long-lived apex predator.
TAXONOMY
Provisionally a distinct subspecies
A 2024 scientific revision proposed species status as Orcinus rectipinnus. The Society for Marine Mammalogy has not adopted that species split; its current list provisionally recognizes Bigg’s as Orcinus orca rectipinnus, a subspecies of killer whale.
POPULATION
The coastal subset is increasing
A 385-whale coastal subset was identified for 2024, including 243 sexually mature animals. Including known and assumed deceased kin, that subset grew an average 1.9% per year from 2019–2024.
CONSERVATION
Still listed as Threatened in Canada
The West Coast Transient population remains Threatened under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. Current assessments emphasize reduced prey availability, contaminants, acoustic and physical disturbance, and vessel-strike risk among cumulative pressures.
ACCURACY NOTE
This is a living family guide
The catalogue below is a curated Salish Sea field guide, not a complete inventory of the West Coast Transient population. Long-term photo-identification records document 945 Bigg’s killer whales known from British Columbia across decades, while this page focuses on families and individuals most useful for understanding whales encountered in and around the Salish Sea.
Bigg’s family structure changes constantly. Calves are born, whales disappear, females establish new branches, and relationships can be revised when researchers obtain better photographs, genetics or long-term association data. When maternity, age or population assignment remains uncertain, this guide keeps that uncertainty visible rather than forcing a definitive answer.
FAMILY CATALOGUE
Find a whale or family
Explore the matrilines below to meet the families, individual whales, relationships, identification features and field stories that make up the world of Bigg’s killer whales. Search by T-number, nickname or family detail, then open any entry for current and historical members, relationships and notable stories. This 85-entry directory is intentionally curated rather than a complete census of the population.
01 T002B — Pedder Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T002B / Pedder — female, born 1979
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T002B2 — calf documented in 2018
Family notes
- Pedder is a daughter of T002, also known as Florencia or Pointednose Cow.
- T002 was captured in Pedder Bay in 1970 with T001, T003, T004 and T005. T001 and T002 later escaped the net pen. T002 subsequently produced T002A, T002B and T002C before disappearing in 2009.
02 T002Cs — Tasu's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T002C / Tasu — female, born 1989
- T002C1 / Rocky — male, born 2002
- T002C3 / Lucy — female, born 2011
- T002C5 / Guardian — born 2020
- T002C6 / Yukon — born 2025
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T002C2 / Tumbo — male, 2005–2020
- T002C4 / Kanu — 2017–2021
Family notes
- Tasu is another daughter of T002 and part of the historically important T2 lineage.
- Tumbo lived with pronounced scoliosis. Observers documented family members sharing prey with him and accompanying him when he could not travel or hunt normally.
- Tasu’s family became an especially powerful example of long-term family care: Tumbo lived with severe scoliosis, and relatives were repeatedly observed bringing him prey when his condition limited his ability to hunt.
Individual field notes
- Tasu has six confirmed calves in the current public family record. Her son Tumbo lived for about 15 years with severe spinal curvature, and the family repeatedly accommodated his reduced hunting ability.
- Rocky, Tasu’s oldest son, was observed helping his mother provision Tumbo after hunts—an unusually vivid example of prey sharing and long-term family care.
- Lucy / Helena has a reputation for bold behavior around other cetaceans and has been documented interacting with young humpbacks.
- Guardian was named in honor of whale-watch captain Nick Templeman; the T2Cs spend substantial time around the Campbell River region where Templeman worked.
- The youngest calf, Yukon, was first documented in 2025.
03 T007Bs — Spiller's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T007B / Spiller — female, born 1982
- T007B3 / Knox — male, born 2005
- T007B4 / Moonraker — male, born 2010
- T007B6 / Domino — male, born 2018
- T007B7 / Spectre — male, born 2022
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T007 / Innis — female, 1961–2013
- T009 / Kanduke — male, 1971–1990; died in captivity
- T007A / Arrow — male, 1976–2013
- T007C / Blunden — 1990–2002
- T007B1 — born 1995; later status unresolved in older records
- T007B2 — born 1998; later status unresolved in older records
- T007B5 — 2014–2016
Family notes
- Spiller's mother, T007 / Innis, was captured at Pedder Bay in 1975 with her presumed son T009 / Kanduke and another whale known as Nootka III.
- Innis was released. Kanduke entered captivity, first at Marineland of Canada and later at SeaWorld Orlando, where he died in 1990.
04 T010 — Langara Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T010 / Langara — female, born 1964 or earlier
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T010B / Siwash — male, 1983–2017
- T010C / Bones — male, 1999–2024
Family notes
- Langara is one of the oldest identified female Bigg’s killer whales in this Salish Sea-focused guide.
05 T011A — Rainy Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T011A / Rainy — male, born 1978
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T011 / Wakan — mother; missing since 2020 and presumed deceased
Family notes
- Rainy is often documented traveling with T077A or members of the T100B family.
- Rainy is one of the largest documented males in the northeastern Pacific coastal Bigg’s population, at roughly 27 feet (8.2 m).
Individual field notes
- Rainy is the only known calf of T11 / Wakan, who disappeared in 2020. Since then he has continued as an unusually successful lone adult male.
- He is often documented with the T46Bs and with T46C2 / Sam rather than traveling completely by himself.
- Rainy is listed at about 27 feet (8.2 m), placing him among the largest documented males in the northeastern Pacific coastal Bigg’s population.
06 T018 / T019 family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T019 / Nootka / Mooyah — female, born 1965 or earlier
- T019B / Galiano — male, born 1995
- T019C / Spouter — male, born 2001
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T018 / Esperanza — female, born before 1955; not seen since August 2024, status unresolved
- T019A — 1984–1989
Family notes
- The unusual T018/T019 numbering reflects the fact that the mother-daughter relationship was not understood when the whales were first catalogued.
- This family is known for taking large marine-mammal prey and has been documented preying on minke whales.
- T18 / Esperanza has not been documented since August 2024. The family is also known for recurring late-summer and early-fall appearances in the northern Salish Sea.
Individual field notes
- Before Esperanza disappeared, the family sometimes split into two close pairings: T19B stayed with his mother Nootka, while younger brother T19C frequently remained with grandmother T18.
- Nootka and her sons regularly associate with the T49As even though no close family relationship is currently known.
- Galiano is particularly recognizable because his broad dorsal fin leans left, changing its apparent profile from different viewing angles.
- The family’s nicknames—Esperanza, Nootka, Galiano and Spouter—are strongly tied to geographic places around western Vancouver Island.
07 T023 / T023Ds Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T023 / Janice / Warmsprings — female, born 1964 or earlier
- T023D / Axle / Brightly — female, born 1993
- T023D3 / Robin — male, born 2012
- T023D4 / Sixx / Ross — female, born 2015
- T023D5 / Wildside — female, born 2019
- T023D6 — born 2026
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T024 / Grace / Gooshdeiheen — male, born 1974; later status uncertain in older records
- T023A — born 1980; historical records conflict on exact death year
- T023B — 1985
- T023D1 / Vispera — historical
- T023D2 — historical
Family notes
- T023 is also the mother of T023C; the T023Cs are now treated as their own matriline.
- T025 / Edgecumbe was the mother of T023.
08 T023Cs — Cindy's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T023C / Cindy / Freshwater — female, born 1990
- T023C3 / Durban — female, born 2009
- T023C4 / Bunzie — born 2013
- T023C5 / Grym — female, born 2018
- T023C6 / Cascade — born 2023
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T023C1 / Haat — 2003–2008
- T023C2 / Berth — born 2007; later status unresolved in older records
Family notes
- T023C is a daughter of T023. Her descendants travel as a distinct matriline.
09 T026s — Saoirse's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T026 / Saoirse — female, born 1966 or earlier
- T026A / Ursula — female, born 1990
- T026A2 — born 2019
- T026A3 — born 2022
Family notes
- T026 was among the killer whales captured in Budd Inlet in 1976 and was released.
10 T028s — Khaz's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T028 / Khaz — female, born 1972 or earlier
- T028C / Lluvia — female, born 2003
- T028D / Gwaii — born 2007
- T028E — born 2013
Family notes
- Khaz is also the mother of T146 / Oamaru, T028A / Slocum and T028B / Lydonia, whose descendants are tracked as separate family lines.
11 T028As — Slocum's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T028A / Slocum — female, born 1994
- T028A1 — male, born 2012
- T028A2 — born 2018
- T028A3 — born 2021
Family notes
- Slocum is a daughter of T028. Her relatively straight dorsal fin contributed to an earlier assumption that she was male.
12 T028Bs — Lydonia's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T028B / Lydonia — female, born 1997
- T028B1 — born 2015
- T028B2 — born 2018
- T028B3 — born 2024
Family notes
- Lydonia is a daughter of T028 / Khaz.
13 T030 family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T030A / Sequoia — male, born 1986
- T030B / Lyra — female, born 1993
- T030B1 / Vega — born 2012
- T030B2 / Capella — born 2017
- T030B3 / Vesper — born 2024
- T030C / Salix — female, born 2005
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T030 / Elwha — female, born about 1967; died 2024
Family notes
- The T030s are frequently documented with the T041s.
- Following Elwha's death, T030A and T030C have continued to be seen traveling together, while T030B and her descendants form another branch of the family.
14 T034s — Grace's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T034 / Grace — female, born 1969 or earlier
- T034A / Pachamama — female, born 2007
- T034A2 / Amaru — born 2024
- T034B / Sonder — female, born 2017
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T034A1 — born 2019; last documented in older public records in 2022 and subsequently considered missing/deceased
Family notes
- The T034s frequently associate with the T037s.
- Researchers and observers have discussed T037 as a possible daughter of T034, but that relationship should be treated as presumed rather than certain.
Individual field notes
- Grace has two confirmed surviving daughters, Pachamama and Sonder, and T37 is also treated as a possible daughter in regional family reconstructions.
- Pachamama became a mother in 2019. That first calf was later declared deceased after disappearing from regular sightings.
- One unusual feature of that calf’s short life was its frequent travel with the unrelated T36s rather than consistently with its mother.
15 T035 / T035As — Rooby Roo and descendants Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T035 / Rooby Roo — female, born 1970 or earlier
- T035A / Lester — female, born 1998
- T035A1 / Opal — female, born 2010
- T035A1A — calf confirmed and designated in July 2026
- T035A2 / Topaz — born 2013
- T035A3 / Garnet — born 2018
- T035A4 / Agate — female, born 2022
- T035A5 — calf confirmed and designated in July 2026
Family notes
- Bay Cetology designated two calves in this family in July 2026: T035A5 and T035A1A.
- T035 is also the mother of T038 / Graeme. She usually travels with the T038s, and the wider T035/T038 family network is frequently documented in mixed groupings.
Individual field notes
- Lester is easy to recognize by a pronounced crescent-shaped dorsal fin with a small nick near the tip.
- The younger T35A whales follow a gemstone naming theme: Opal, Topaz, Garnet and Agate.
- Lester and her descendants frequently associate with presumed sister T38A / Dana and Dana’s offspring.
- The family expanded again in July 2026 with newly designated calves in both Lester’s and Opal’s branches.
16 T036 / T036Bs — Flapjack and Tattertip Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T036 / Flapjack — female, born 1970 or earlier
- T036B / Tattertip — female, born 1998
- T036B1 / Bhotia — female, born 2009
- T036B1A / Maple — female, born 2025
- T036B2 / Greenfelder — female, born 2013
- T036B4 / Auk — male, born 2024
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T036B3 / Chip — male, 2018–2023
- T036C — 2004–2009
Family notes
- T036 is also presumed to be the mother of T099 / Bella and T137 / Loon; this relationship is commonly described as presumed rather than genetically confirmed.
Individual field notes
- Flapjack is one of the key matriarchs in a much larger extended family network: T99 / Bella and T137 / Loon are both widely treated as possible daughters.
- Tattertip remains closely connected to Flapjack while raising her own calves, rather than consistently traveling as a fully separate branch.
- Bhotia became a first-time mother in 2025; her calf Maple was confirmed female from underside photographs taken while the family passed beneath the Fox Island bridge.
- Auk, born in 2024, was confirmed male from photographs captured during a breach.
- Chip was remembered by observers as an especially energetic youngster before disappearing and later being declared deceased.
17 T036As — Leland's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T036A / Leland — female, born 1990
- T036A1 / Tierna — female, born 2005
- T036A1A / Drift — male, born 2022
- T036A2 / Kailas — female, born 2012
- T036A2A / Rogue — born 2025
- T036A3 / Storm / Mike III — male, born 2015
- T036A5 / Squall — male, born 2021
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T036A4 — calf, 2019
Family notes
- T036A2 and T036A3 are sometimes documented traveling separately from the rest of the family.
- After the death of T036A4 in 2019, family members were observed carrying the calf.
Individual field notes
- Leland carries the additional designation AM35 and travels with a multigenerational group that includes children and a grandchild.
- Tierna became a mother in 2022. Her son Drift travels in the same extended group as his grandmother, aunts and uncles.
- Drift and his young uncle Squall are close in age and are frequently seen traveling or playing together.
- Storm’s nickname reflects a lightning-bolt-like marking in the saddle patch, while Squall continues the family’s weather naming theme.
18 T037 / T037Bs — Rocky III and Harald Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T037 / Rocky III / Pizza Fin — female, born 1979
- T037B / Harald — female, born 1998
- T037B1 / Lance — male, born 2012
- T037B3 / Slice — female, born 2022
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T037B2 / Trident — 2017–2021
Family notes
- The T037s frequently associate with the T034s and sometimes with T036-family whales.
- T037 is also the mother of T037A / Volker.
Individual field notes
- Rocky III travels with daughter Harald and grandson Lance.
- Lance has an unusually open-looking right saddle patch, an uncommon feature among northeastern Pacific coastal Bigg’s.
- Harald’s younger calf disappeared in 2021 and was later presumed deceased.
19 T037As — Volker's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T037A / Volker — female, born 1994
- T037A1 / Inyo — female, born 2007; often travels independently
- T037A2 / Inky — male, born 2009
- T037A3 / Spinnaker — male, born 2013
- T037A4 / Crinkle — female, born 2015
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T037A5 / Jib — male, 2019–2024
Family notes
- T037A1 / Inyo has dispersed from the core group and is often documented apart from the rest of the family.
Individual field notes
- Volker has had five calves. Most remained with her, while eldest daughter Inyo typically travels separately.
- Inky and Spinnaker appear to have a particularly close sibling relationship.
- Crinkle is one of the easier family members to identify because the dorsal fin has a visibly compressed or crinkled shape.
- Inyo’s multiple dorsal-fin notches make her recognizable even though she is often apart from the core family.
- Jib disappeared from sightings and was declared deceased in 2024.
20 T038s — Graeme's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T038 / Graeme — female, born 1980
- T038B / Monsoon / Jane — female, born 2003
- T038B1 / Hydra / Cook — born 2018
- T038B2 / Mist — born 2023
- T038C / Borrowman — male, born 2008
- T038D / Falconer — male, born 2012
- T038E / Hocker — female, born 2017
- T038F / Proctor — born 2023
Family notes
- T038 is a daughter of T035 / Rooby Roo and is also the mother of T038A / Dana.
- T038C and T038E are among family members that are sometimes documented traveling separately.
- In July 2026, T038C was documented traveling with younger sibling T038F apart from the larger family, another example of the flexible travel patterns within Bigg’s matrilines.
21 T038As — Dana's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T038A / Dana / Arrow — female, born 2000
- T038A2 / Archer — born 2020
- T038A3 / Quill — born 2024
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T038A1 — 2015–2021
Family notes
- The T038As are frequently documented with the T035As.
Individual field notes
- Dana carries a conspicuous pale pigmentation mark on the front-left side of the dorsal fin; a related whale, T38C, has a similar pale marking on the opposite side.
- The T38As frequently travel with the T35As, reinforcing the presumed relationship between the two family branches.
- Dana’s younger calves have had especially close-aged cousins in the T35A family, creating regular opportunities for juvenile socializing.
22 T041s — Lawrie's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T041 / Lawrie — female, born 1966 or earlier
- T041A / Jemison — female, born 1988
- T041A2 / Tree — born 2013
- T041A3 / Mola — born 2018
- T041A4 / Cedar — born 2025
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T041A1 / Palm — 2011–2016
Family notes
- The T041s are regularly documented traveling with the T030 family.
23 T046 family — descendants of Wake Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T122 / Centeki — female, born about 1982
- T046D / Strider — male, born 2000; not documented since September 2025, status unresolved
- T046E / Thor — male, born 2003
- T046F / Loki — male, born 2012
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T046 / Wake — female, about 1966–2023
- T046A — historical individual, born about 1980; identity history is complex in older catalogues
Family notes
- Wake was one of the whales caught during the 1976 Budd Inlet capture, the last major killer-whale capture in Washington waters.
- T123 / Sidney is treated as a presumed daughter of T046 / Wake and is tracked as her own matriline.
- T46 / Wake was one of the six Bigg’s captured in Budd Inlet in 1976 and later released—a pivotal event in the history of live-capture practices in Washington waters.
Individual field notes
- Wake produced one of the most expansive family legacies in the Salish Sea, with numerous presumed children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
- T122 / Centeki is treated as a probable daughter of T046 / Wake. Her birth year is estimated at about 1982; some older public guides have used later estimates, so WUTA uses about 1982 in the catalogue field.
- Strider’s dorsal fin has two deep triangular notches and can sometimes be confused with T63 / Chainsaw at a distance.
- Thor’s bent, notched dorsal helped inspire the lightning-themed nickname; younger brother Loki continues the Norse naming theme.
- Wake’s survival after the 1976 Budd Inlet capture and subsequent reproductive success make her family central to the modern history of Washington’s wild killer whales.
24 T046Bs — Raksha's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T046B / Raksha — female, born 1988
- T046B1 / Tread — female, born 2003
- T046B1A / Tsakani — female, born 2015
- T046B1C / Tide — male, born 2022
- T046B1D / Tashi — male, born 2025
- T046B2 / Akela — female, born 2008
- T046B2B / Takaya — female, born 2023
- T046B3 / Sedna — female, born 2011
- T046B3A / Munro — born 2025
- T046B4 / Quiver — male, born 2013
- T046B6 / Sol — female, born 2019
- T046B7 / Tala — born 2023
- T046B8 — calf first documented and designated in March 2026
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T046B1B / Tl’uk — male, 2018–2021
- T046B2A — calf, 2021–2022
- T046B5 — calf killed during a documented 2016 infanticide event
Family notes
- Raksha's eighth documented calf, T046B8, was first reported in March 2026 and designated by Bay Cetology.
- T046B1 and her descendants frequently travel separately from the rest of the T046Bs.
- In July 2026, T046B3 / Sedna and calf T046B3A / Munro were traveling apart with T046B6 / Sol as a trio. This is treated as a recent travel pattern rather than assumed to be a permanent split.
- Raksha’s family has been central to several remarkable research events, including the documented 2016 infanticide and the arrival of T46B8 in March 2026.
Individual field notes
- Raksha’s family has been observed through several generations, including daughters Tread, Akela and Sedna and their own calves.
- Quiver survived injuries associated with the 2016 infanticide event; lasting scarring around the saddle helped inspire the nickname.
- Sol was Raksha’s first calf after that event, and her sun-themed name contrasts with the moon-themed name of leucistic nephew Tl’uk.
- Tala and Takaya continue the family’s wolf-related naming traditions, while T46B8 became Raksha’s newest documented calf in March 2026.
- Tread’s son Tide was named in memory of his late leucistic brother Tl’uk, linking the moon-and-tide symbolism within that branch.
25 T046Cs — Carmanah's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T046C / Carmanah — female, born 1994
- T046C1 / Tsunami — male, born 2006
- T046C2 / Sam — female, born 2009
- T046C3 / Razor — born 2013
- T046C4 / Hobi — born 2018
- T046C5 — born 2025
Family notes
- T046C2 / Sam is sometimes documented traveling apart from the rest of the family.
- T46C2 / Sam became separated from her family as a young whale in 2013 and was eventually guided out of a shallow cove by responders; she was later seen reunited with her family in healthy condition.
Individual field notes
- Carmanah’s eye patches differ noticeably from left to right, giving photographers another useful identification feature beyond the dorsal fin.
- Tsunami is a mature male with two clear notches in the trailing edge of the dorsal.
- Razor’s paired jagged notches inspired the nickname, while Hobi’s name references a lake near the place for which Carmanah was named.
- Sam’s 2013 separation near Aristazabal Island became a major response story: after weeks in a shallow cove, teams used playback calls and a floating line to guide her through the narrow exit.
- Sam was photographed back with her family two years later and appeared healthy.
26 T049As — Nan's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T049A / Nan — female, born 1986
- T049A1 / Noah — male, born 2001
- T049A2 / Jude — male, born 2007
- T049A3 / Nat — male, born 2011
- T049A4 / Neptune — male, born 2014
- T049A5 / Nebula — female, born 2017
- T049A6 / Charlie II — male, born 2022
- T049A7 / Nimbus — born March 2026; sex listed as unknown by Orca Behavior Institute
Family notes
- The T049As are frequent Salish Sea visitors but range widely along the coast from Alaska to Oregon.
- T049A6 / Charlie II has a distinctive healed rostrum injury and underbite. Public observations indicate that the injury has not prevented him from surviving and traveling normally.
- T049A7 was first documented in March 2026 and subsequently designated by Bay Cetology.
- Nan and several of her offspring are well known for entering harbors. Her seventh known calf, T49A7, was first documented in March 2026.
- T049A1 / Noah and T049A2 / Jude do not always travel with other members of their family.
Individual field notes
- Nan carries the additional designation AL12 and is famous for entering harbors, particularly around Nanaimo; some of her sons have shown the same tendency.
- Noah sometimes travels with Nan and the younger siblings but also spends time away with his brother Jude.
- Jude commonly associates with Noah, uncle T49C / Neilson and other adult or sprouting males; his 2023 Barnes Lake entrapment with T51 became a major rescue event.
- Nebula is the only confirmed daughter among Nan’s older offspring and is recognizable in part from dark markings within the left eye patch.
- Charlie II developed a pronounced underbite after birth, likely from injury, making him particularly distinctive.
- Nan’s newest calf was first documented in March 2026.
27 T049Bs — Van's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T049B / Van — female, born 1992
- T049B2 / Skyler — born 2010
- T049B3 / CharChar — born 2013
- T049B4 — born 2019
- T049B5 — born 2023
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T049B1 / Voyageur — male, 2006–2013
Family notes
- Van is part of the extended T049 family.
28 T049C — Neilson Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T049C / Janet / Neilson — male, born 1998
Family notes
- Nielson is generally documented traveling independently.
Individual field notes
- Neilson is a mature lone male and a brother of T49A / Nan and T49B.
- He frequently associates with nephew T49A2 / Jude, suggesting a persistent uncle-nephew social bond despite his lone-male status.
- His original nickname was Janet, honoring humpback researcher Janet Neilson; it was later changed after the whale was confirmed male.
29 T050s — Boulder and descendants Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T050 / AL8 / Boulder — female, born about 1980
- T050B / Sita — female, born 1999
- T050B1 / Blakeslee — born 2012
- T050B2 — born 2020
- T050B3 — born 2025
- T050D / Lyrical — born 2011
- T050E / Grandmama — born 2013
Family notes
- Members of the T050 family were documented participating in an attack on a gray-whale calf off Oregon in May 2023.
- Members of this matriline do not always travel together.
30 T051 — Roswell Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T051 / Roswell / Loner — male, born about 1981
Family notes
- Roswell is commonly catalogued as a lone male.
- In 2023 Roswell and T49A2 became trapped for weeks in Barnes Lake on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, before responders successfully guided them through the narrow exit using acoustic playback.
Individual field notes
- Roswell’s maternal lineage remains unknown. He historically traveled with another male, T48, and now moves among several different matrilines and lone males.
- In 2023 Roswell and T49A2 / Jude spent roughly six weeks trapped in Barnes Lake on Prince of Wales Island before a multi-agency team guided them through the outlet with playback calls.
- He was subsequently documented in good condition, including an unusual April 2025 sighting several miles up Oregon’s Siuslaw River.
- The nickname is a playful reference to “Area 51”; he is also sometimes called Loner.
31 T054 — Seaforth Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T054 / Seaforth — male, born 1972
Family notes
- Seaforth is commonly catalogued as a lone male.
32 T055s Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T055 — female, born 1976 or earlier
- T055A — male, born 1989
- T055B — female, born 1994
- T055B1 — female, born 2021
- T055C — male, born 2004
Family notes
- The T055s are occasional Salish Sea/Puget Sound visitors and are more often associated with northern waters and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
33 T059s Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T059 — female, born 1970 or earlier
- T059A — female, born 1995
- T059A1 — female, born 2006
- T059A1A — born 2023
- T059A2 — female, born 2009
- T059A3 — born 2013
- T059A4 — born 2017
- T059A5 — born 2020
Family notes
- T059 is also the mother of T060 / Panthera.
- Members of this matriline do not always travel together.
34 T060s — Panthera's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T060 / Panthera — female, born about 1980
- T060C / Yelnats — male, born 2001
- T060D / Onca — male, born 2004
- T060E / Lynx — male, born 2008
- T060F / Tigris — female, born 2012
- T060G / Uncia — female, born 2019
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T060A — born before 1996; historical
- T060B — 1998–1999; unusually pale appearance was associated with a possible genetic condition, but certainty is limited
Family notes
- T002B / Pedder is frequently documented with the T060 family.
- T060D and T060E often travel together and are sometimes informally called “the brothers.”
- T060C can be confused at a distance with another large male, T123A / Stanley, making careful photo-identification important.
- The T60 family illustrates how adult offspring can travel in different combinations: some remain with Panthera while others spend long periods moving with siblings away from the matriarch.
Individual field notes
- Panthera’s feline-themed nickname comes from rake marks on the left saddle patch that resemble claw scratches.
- Yelnats was named because his dorsal fin can strongly resemble T123A / Stanley; “Yelnats” is Stanley spelled backward.
- Onca and Lynx often travel as a brother pair away from the main family group.
- Tigris is the first surviving confirmed daughter in the family, while youngest calf Uncia continues the cat naming theme with a snow-leopard reference.
35 T065 / Whidbey II and T063 / Chainsaw Mother & son
Current / recently active members
- T065 / Whidbey II — female, born before 1968
- T063 / Chainsaw — male, born 1978; son of T065
Family notes
- T063 / Chainsaw is one of the best-known Bigg’s males because of the deep notches and distinctive profile of his dorsal fin.
- Important identification correction: T065 is Whidbey II and T063 is Chainsaw. Chainsaw is T065's son.
- The pair is frequently documented with the T065Bs.
- Whidbey II and presumed son T63 / Chainsaw historically range from the northern Salish Sea and Vancouver Island north toward Southeast Alaska, though they have also made notable recent trips into Puget Sound.
Individual field notes
- Whidbey II is the confirmed mother of T65A and T65B and the presumed mother of Chainsaw.
- Historically, Whidbey and Chainsaw were better known from Vancouver Island north to Southeast Alaska, though they have made notable recent visits deeper into the Salish Sea and Puget Sound.
- Chainsaw’s huge dorsal is cut by two major trailing-edge notches. The injury that created them occurred when he was young, but its cause is not known.
- Chainsaw was once catalogued as V10 and is also known as Xorro in Southeast Alaska—an excellent example of one whale carrying different regional IDs and names.
36 T064 / T064As — Keku and Minke Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T064 / Keku — female, born 1971 or earlier
- T064A / Minke — female, born 1993
- T064A3 / Sparrow / Sparrow Rose — born 2014
- T064A4 / Nova — born 2018
- T064A5 — born 2021
Family notes
- This family is part of the wider T064 lineage.
37 T064Bs — Ember's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T064B / Ember / Amabilidad — female, born 2002
- T064B1 / Flame / Peaches — female, born 2013
- T064B1A / Spark — female, born 2024
- T064B2 / Pelosi — born 2019; still considered alive despite sparse recent public sightings
Family notes
- Some secondary public guides have treated T064B2 / Pelosi as presumed deceased after a gap in sightings. Pelosi remains listed as alive, so WUTA keeps her in the current / recently active group while keeping the uncertainty visible.
Individual field notes
- This family historically ranges from central British Columbia into Southeast Alaska and was only first documented in the Salish Sea in 2020.
- Peaches played an important role in recognizing the family locally because of a conspicuous white pigmentation mark on the lower front of the left dorsal fin.
- Pelosi has a broadly similar dorsal shape to the older sibling but lacks that pale dorsal pigmentation, helping observers separate the two.
38 T065As — Artemis's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T065A / Artemis — female, born 1986
- T065A2 / Ooxjaa — male, born 2004
- T065A3 / Amira — male, born 2007; the long-used nickname reflects an earlier assumption that this whale was female
- T065A4 / Ellifrit — female, born 2011
- T065A5 / Elsie / Indy — male, born 2014; often travels independently
- T065A6 / Callisto — female, born 2018
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T065A1 — 2001–2008
Family notes
- The T065As are among the most familiar Bigg’s families in the Salish Sea and regularly associate with other matrilines.
- The T65As are one of the clearest examples of a family with a recurring Puget Sound presence. Individual family members have also produced memorable events, including Ooxjaa’s close boat interaction in 2021 and Indy’s temporary 2022 lagoon stranding in Port Angeles.
Individual field notes
- Artemis / Fingers has a rounded dorsal tip with a small notch and is among the most familiar Salish Sea matriarchs.
- Ooxjaa became widely known after repeatedly contacting and pushing a small fishing boat in Saratoga Passage in 2021; his tall dorsal has a hooked, rounded tip.
- Amira was treated as female for years until the dorsal began to sprout, revealing that the whale is male; Amir is sometimes used as an alternate nickname.
- Ellifrit / Ellie was named for longtime killer-whale researcher David Ellifrit and has a small dorsal notch similar to younger brother Indy.
- Indy is unusually independent for his age and spent a night trapped by a minus tide in a Port Angeles lagoon in 2022 before leaving on the returning tide.
- Callisto continues the Greek-mythology naming theme and has a thin crescent-like dorsal.
39 T065Bs — Chunk's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T065B / Chunk — female, born 1993
- T065B1 / Birdsall — male, born 2011
- T065B2 / Nettle / Corvis — male, born 2019
- T065B3 / Rook — male, born 2023
Family notes
- The T065Bs are frequently documented with T065 / Whidbey II and T063 / Chainsaw.
Individual field notes
- Chunk is a daughter of T65 and sister of Artemis; the small notch near the base of her dorsal inspired the nickname.
- Birdsall is the oldest calf and a sprouting male named in honor of researcher Caitlin Birdsall.
- Nettle / Corvus was named partly for eye patches that observers compare to the silhouette of a crow.
- Rook’s eye-patch shape inspired both the bird and chess-piece associations behind the nickname.
40 T068 — Yakataga and T068A Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T068 / Yakataga — female, born 1970 or earlier
- T068A / Ken — male, born 1984
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T068D — born 1997; historical
Family notes
- A 2016 event involving T068 and T068A was documented in the scientific literature as killer-whale infanticide involving calf T046B5.
- In June 2026 T068A was observed carrying a very young dead calf in south Puget Sound. The calf’s identity and cause of death were not established, so the observation should not be interpreted as evidence of another infanticide event.
41 T068Bs — Phylly's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T068B / Phylly — female, born 1987
- T068B1 / Obsidian — female, born 2001
- T068B1A / Fern — born 2013
- T068B1C — born 2019; considered alive in the latest 2025 status information
- T068B1D — born 2025
- T068B2 / Quartz — female, born 2004; sometimes travels independently
- T068B3 / Wilder — male, born 2010
- T068B4 / Chiak — born 2014
- T068B5 / Venture — born 2019
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T068B1B — 2016–2017
Family notes
- The T068B family is part of the extended T068 lineage.
- Some secondary public guides still list T068B1C as historical, but more recent records support keeping the whale listed as alive, including an identification record from 2023. WUTA therefore keeps T068B1C in the current / recently active group.
42 T068Cs — Bazan's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T068C / Bazan — female, born 1992
- T068C1 / Sila — female, born 2007
- T068C3 / Jacobsen — female, born 2012
- T068C3A — born 2024
- T068C4 / Rich — born 2014
- T068C6 — born 2023
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T068C2 / Casper — 2009–2012; unusually pale appearance was once linked to a possible genetic condition, though later interpretations have included sloughing/dead skin
- T068C5 — born 2020; no longer listed in the active family in recent public records
- T068C1A — calf documented in 2024 only
Family notes
- T068C1 / Sila live-stranded in Klakass Bay, Alaska, in 2013 and returned to deeper water after several hours with intervention and the incoming tide.
- The family spent an extended period in Hood Canal in fall 2021.
- T068C3A was first reported near Ketchikan in October 2024 and has subsequently been documented with members of the family.
43 T069s — Komox's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T069 / Komox — female, born about 1974
- T069C / Kye — male, born 1995
- T069E / Kodiak — male, born 2004
- T069F / Kin — male, born 2010
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T069B — born 1992; historical
Family notes
- T069A and T069D are daughters whose descendants are tracked as separate matrilines.
44 T069As — Kitimat's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T069A / Kitimat — female, born 1989
- T069A2 / Hartley — male, born 2006
- T069A3 / Kʷiisahii — born 2011
- T069A4 / Našuk — born 2016
- T069A6 — born 2023
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T069A1 — historical
- T069A5 / Kismet — born 2018; historical
Family notes
- T069A2 / Hartley live-stranded near Hartley Bay, British Columbia, in July 2015 and returned to the water when the tide rose roughly nine hours later.
45 T069Ds Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T069D — female, born 2001
- T069D1 — male, born 2013
- T069D2 — born 2016
- T069D3 — born 2020
- T069D4 — born 2024
Family notes
- T069D is part of the extended T069 family.
46 T070 Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T070 — male, born about 1970
Family notes
- T070 is commonly catalogued as a lone male.
47 T071s — Bonkers' family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T071 / Bonkers — female, born about 1980
- T071B / Hood — female, born 2000
- T071B1 / Zengo — female, born 2013
- T071B2 / Tasli — born 2018; missing the left pectoral fin, documented by 2023
- T071C / Jared — male, born 2007
- T071D / Heise — male, born 2011
- T071E / Sutton — born 2017
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T071A / Hopkins — female, 1995–2010
- T071A1 — historical
Family notes
- The T071Bs are often documented separately from other members of the T071 family.
48 T072 — Young / Captain Hook Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T072 / Young / Captain Hook — male, born about 1974
Family notes
- T072 is commonly catalogued as a lone male.
Individual field notes
- Young is primarily an Alaska-associated lone male and carries the additional designation AQ2.
- He occasionally enters the Salish Sea and has been documented with the T34s and T37s.
- The upper portion of his dorsal bends over into a distinctive hook shape, likely related to injury or age; this has led some observers to use the informal nickname Captain Hook.
49 T073 — Doris and descendants Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T073 / Doris — female, born 1969 or earlier
- T074 / Andy Bigg — male, born about 1979
- T073D / Steve — male, born 2005
Family notes
- Doris has been proposed as a daughter of T079 / Gypsy II, but that relationship is best treated as presumed.
- T073A and T073C have established separate matrilines, while T073B is generally documented as an independent male.
50 T073As — Greg's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T073A / Greg — female, born 1987
- T073A1 / Paws — male, born 2005
- T073A2 / Trites — born 2010
- T073A3 / Jessica — born 2015
Family notes
- T073A is a daughter of T073 / Doris.
51 T073B — Blue / Kwenis Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T073B / Blue / Kwenis — male, born 1991
Family notes
- T073B is a son of T073 / Doris and is generally documented as an independent male.
52 T073Cs — Vicky's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T073C / Vicky — female, born 1998
- T073C1 / Guba — born 2012
- T073C2 — born 2021
Family notes
- T073C is a daughter of T073 / Doris.
53 T075s — Kidney and descendants Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T075 / Kidney — female, born 1971 or earlier
- T075A / Stone — male, born 1991
- T075B / Pebbles — female, born 1995
- T075B2 / Jasper / Fifi — female, born 2015
- T075B3 / Rubble / Kasnikyu — male, born 2017
- T075B4 / Petra — female, born 2021
- T075C / Bam-Bam — female, born 1998
- T075C3 / Flint — born 2021
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T078 — female, 1986–1998
- T078A — calf, 1998
- T075B1 / Scars — 2007–2013
- T075B2A — calf, June–September 2023; research updates concluded T075B2 / Jasper was the likely mother
- T075C1 / Carlos — 2017–2021
- T075C2 / Gavin — 2019–2021
- T075B5 — female, born 2025; not documented after fall 2025 and presumed deceased
- T075C4 / Slate — born 2023; not documented after July 2025 and presumed deceased
Family notes
- T075 and adult son T075A often travel apart from the rest of the family.
- T075 is also the mother of T077 / Asja.
- The short-lived 2023 calf was later designated T075B2A; subsequent population updates concluded T075B2 / Jasper was the likely mother at only about eight years old.
- The T75B branch experienced two recent calf losses: a short-lived calf in 2023 and T75B5 in 2025.
Individual field notes
- Pebbles leads the T75B branch, where several calf intervals have been unusually short.
- Jasper’s sex was confirmed after she was linked as the likely young mother of the short-lived 2023 calf.
- Rubble’s name continues the Flintstones theme established by Pebbles, while Petra continues the family’s rock-and-stone naming pattern.
- The 2023 calf showed serious signs of poor condition before disappearing; researchers later concluded Jasper was likely the mother at only about eight years old.
- Pebbles’ 2025 calf was confirmed female but survived only weeks. The family was subsequently photographed with fresh wounds, although no causal connection has been established.
54 T077s — Asja's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T077 / Asja — female, born about 1981
- T077C / Neftali — male, born 2006
- T077D / Alcyon — female, born 2009
- T077E / Misneach — born 2016
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T077B / The Church — male, 2000–2021
Family notes
- T077 is a daughter of T075 / Kidney.
- The family is often documented associating with the T065As.
- T77C and T77D have a notably close sibling relationship and are sometimes documented leaving the rest of the family to travel with other matrilines.
- In July 2026, T77C and T77E were documented roaming the Salish Sea together apart from their mother and sister.
Individual field notes
- Asja carries the additional designation AQ7. Eldest son T77A usually travels separately, while Asja more often travels with T77C, T77D and T77E.
- Neftali and younger sister Alcyon have an especially close relationship and sometimes leave the family together to associate with other matrilines, including the T75Bs.
- Misneach has been documented as a particularly playful younger family member, including repeated breaching.
- T77B / The Chuch is a historical adult son no longer present in the current family group; public reference sources differ on the exact final-year convention used for his record.
55 T077A — Saulitis Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T077A / Saulitis — male, born 1996
Family notes
- Saulitis is frequently documented traveling independently or with other roaming males, including T011A.
56 T085s — Eve's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T085 / Eve — female, born about 1977
- T085B / Alison / Ali — male, born 1995
- T085D / Findlay Farenorth — born 2014
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T085A / Zoe — male, born 1992; historical/not listed with current family in older source material
- T085C / Jasmine — born 2005; historical
Family notes
- The T085 family is among the Bigg’s lineages documented in the wider Pacific Northwest.
57 T086As — Eider's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T086A / Eider — female, born 1988
- T086A1 / Nahanni — female, born 2001
- T086A1B / Denali — male, born 2023
- T086A3 / Tyndall — female, born 2011
- T086A4 / Akia — female, born 2016
- T086A5 / Siku — male, born 2024
Status or relationship not fully resolved
- T086A3A / Tenakee — born 2024; status unresolved as of this review
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T086A2 — 2005–2008
- T086A1A — calf documented in 2019 only
Family notes
- T086A3A / Tenakee was born in 2024 but had not been documented since fall 2025 in the source material reviewed for this guide. Its status is therefore listed as uncertain rather than presumed deceased.
- Eider carries a long-standing lower-jaw injury that prevents her mouth from closing normally. The wider family also went through an unusual burst of births across multiple females in 2023–2024.
- T086A1 / Nahanni does not always travel with her mother and siblings.
Individual field notes
- Eider’s lower-jaw injury leaves her unable to fully close the mouth and with missing lower front teeth, yet she has continued to survive and raise calves.
- A remarkable reproductive pulse occurred across this extended family in late 2023 and 2024, when Eider and two adult daughters produced calves within a short period.
- Siku, born in 2024, is Eider’s first known son.
- Tyndall temporarily traveled closely with the T71B family after calving; after her calf Tenakee disappeared, she later rejoined the T86As.
- Tenakee has not been documented since 2025 and remains a reminder that calf status can change quickly between catalogue editions.
58 T087 — Harbeson Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T087 / Harbeson — male, born about 1962
Family notes
- Harbeson is a well-known older male who often travels with the T090 family.
- In March 2026 he was also repeatedly documented with T124C / Cooper.
- Harbeson is an exceptional example of an older lone male, continuing to travel independently long after the loss of his presumed mother.
Individual field notes
- Harbeson is presumed to be a son of T88 and a relative of T90 / Eagle, with whom he has sometimes associated.
- His tall dorsal carries a large notch near the top and curves left, making him relatively easy to identify.
- His advanced age and long-term lone-male lifestyle are unusual because adult male Bigg’s commonly remain closely tied to their mothers.
59 T090s — Eagle's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T090 / Eagle — female, born 1980
- T090B / Piglet — male, born 2006
- T090C / Tigger — female, born 2010
- T090D / Kanga — female, born 2017
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T090A — historical
Family notes
- T087 / Harbeson frequently travels with the T090s.
- Older catalogues identify T087 and T090 as offspring of T088.
Individual field notes
- Eagle is presumed to be another offspring of T88 and therefore a likely close relative of lone male T87 / Harbeson.
- Piglet is the family’s only surviving male and is increasingly conspicuous as his dorsal continues to grow.
- The younger siblings follow a Winnie-the-Pooh naming theme: Piglet, Tigger and Kanga.
60 T093 — Joanna Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T093 / Joanna — male, born about 1963
Family notes
- T093 is commonly documented as a lone male.
61 T097 — Gull Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T097 / Gull — male, born 1980
Family notes
- Gull is often documented traveling with T093 / Joanna.
62 T099s — Bella's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T099 / Bella — female, born about 1984
- T099B / Holly — female, born 2007
- T099C / Barakat — male, born 2009
- T099D / Puck — male, born 2015
- T099E / Qwiin qwiin oo quii la — female, born 2021
Family notes
- T036 / Flapjack is presumed to be the mother of T099, which would make T099 and T137 presumed sisters.
- T99B / Holly was seen with a calf in fall 2024, but the calf did not survive.
Individual field notes
- Bella is widely treated as a possible daughter of T36 / Flapjack, and the T99s frequently associate with Flapjack’s family.
- Holly’s deeply nicked crescent dorsal is a strong identification feature; a calf seen with her in 2024 did not survive.
- Barakat is a sprouting male whose dorsal is becoming taller while retaining a noticeable curve.
- Puck has a reputation for playful or mischievous behavior; his nickname also nods to the family’s informal “Gretzkys” hockey reference.
- Youngest daughter Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la was first documented in Port Susan. Her name was chosen by Tulalip community members and refers to the visible breath of a surfacing killer whale.
63 T100s — Hutchins' family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T100 / Hutchins — female, born about 1979
- T100B / Freya — female, born 1997
- T100B1 / Seidr — male, born 2010
- T100B3 / Selkie — female, born 2024
- T100C / Laurel — male, born 2002
- T100E / Tharaya — female, born 2009
- T100F / Estrella — male, born 2014
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T100A — born before 1996; historical
- T100D — 2006–2009
- T100B2 / Potnia — 2016–2017
Family notes
- The T100Bs frequently travel apart from the rest of the family.
- T100E / Tharaya does not always travel with her mother and siblings.
- T100 is widely considered a likely daughter of T101 / Reef.
- T100 / Hutchins is presumed to be a daughter of T101 / Reef, linking two familiar Salish Sea family lines.
Individual field notes
- Hutchins carries the additional designation AL41 and is presumed to be a daughter of T101 / Reef.
- Her oldest daughter formed the separate T100B branch, while Hutchins continues to travel with several younger offspring.
- Laurel is the family’s mature male and remains closely associated with his mother.
- Tharaya and Estrella share an astronomical naming theme centered on stars and constellations.
64 T101s — Reef's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T101 / Reef — female, born 1969 or earlier
- T101A / Rush — male, born 1993
- T101B / Lagoon — male, born 1997
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T102 / Beardslee — male, 1984–2020
- T101C — male, 1999–2008
Family notes
- Reef is the matriarch of a long-observed family that includes multiple adult sons.
Individual field notes
- Reef is presumed to be the mother of T100 / Hutchins, connecting two important extended Salish Sea family lines.
- Adult sons Rush and Lagoon both remain with their mother.
- The brothers can look superficially similar, but Rush’s dorsal has a more curved trailing edge while Lagoon’s is comparatively straighter.
65 T109s — Big Momma's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T109 / Big Momma / Noyes — female, born 1977 or earlier
- T109D / Elvin — female, born 2007
- T109D1 / Tazzie — born 2018
- T109D2 — born 2021
- T109E / Yoda — male, born 2013
Family notes
- T109 has produced several daughters whose descendants are now tracked as separate matrilines, including the T109As, T109Bs and T109Cs.
66 T109As — Frio's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T109A / Frio / Runaway — female, born 1990
- T109A2 / Fuser — female, born 2005
- T109A2A / Seekah — male, born 2016
- T109A2B / Macoah — born 2018
- T109A2C — female, born 2021
- T109A2D / Cordova — male, born 2023
- T109A4 / Garrett — male, born 2012
- T109A5 / Argyle — born 2014
- T109A6 / Riley — female, born 2018
- T109A7 / Wieland — male, born 2021
- T109A8 / Weiss — born 2024
Status or relationship not fully resolved
- T109A3A / Kʷiisaḥiʔis / Brave Little Hunter — female, born 2022; survived the 2024 lagoon event and was later re-sighted, but ongoing status and associations should be checked against the newest field records
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T109A1 — historical
- T109A3 / Spong — born 2009; died in 2024 after becoming trapped in a tidal lagoon on Vancouver Island
Family notes
- In spring 2024, T109A3 and her calf became trapped in a tidal lagoon on Vancouver Island. T109A3 died after the lagoon drained at low tide; the calf remained for roughly a month before successfully exiting during a high-tide effort and was later re-sighted.
- T109A8 / Weiss is listed as born in 2024. Some later field blogs use 2025, so WUTA uses 2024 in the catalogue.
- T012A is also documented traveling with the T109As.
67 T109Bs — Sem's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T109B / Sem — female, born 1996
- T109B3 — female, born 2013
- T109B4 — born 2015
- T109B5 — born 2018
- T109B6 — born 2024
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T109B1 — historical
- T109B2 — historical
Family notes
- The T109Bs form one branch of the extended T109 family.
68 T109Cs — Boca's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T109C / Boca — female, born 2002
- T109C1 — male, born 2012
- T109C2 — born 2017
- T109C3 — born 2022
Family notes
- The T109Cs form another branch of the extended T109 family.
69 T117s — Hecate's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T117 / Hecate — female, born 1976 or earlier
- T120 / Nox — male, born 1986
- T117A / Nighthawk — male, born 1992
- T117B / Nyx — female, born 2005
- T117B1 / Noctis — born 2023
Family notes
- The numbering in this extended family reflects identifications made before all relationships were fully understood.
- T120 / Nox, T117A / Nighthawk and T117B / Nyx are offspring of T117 / Hecate. T117A and T117B do not often associate with their mother.
70 T121As Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T121A — female, born 1998
- T121A2 — born 2018
- T121A3 — born 2024
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T121A1 — born 2015; historical
Family notes
- The T121As are occasional members of the broader West Coast Transient population documented in the region.
71 T123s — Sidney's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T123 / Sidney — female, born about 1985
- T123A / Stanley — male, born 2000
- T123C / Lucky — female, born 2012
- T123D / D’Arcy — female, born 2018
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T123B / Thrasher — 2009–2011
Family notes
- T123 is widely considered a likely daughter of T046 / Wake.
- Sidney and Stanley live-stranded on a sandbar near Glenn Island, British Columbia, in 2011 and returned to deeper water. Sidney was pregnant with Lucky at the time.
- Sidney and Stanley survived a 2011 low-tide stranding near Prince Rupert. Sidney was pregnant at the time, and the pregnancy later produced T123C / Lucky.
Individual field notes
- Sidney is one of the daughters of T46 / Wake and therefore part of one of the Salish Sea’s largest extended Bigg’s family networks.
- During a 2011 seal hunt, Sidney and son Stanley stranded on a sandbar near Prince Rupert and remained there until the tide returned.
- Sidney was unknowingly pregnant during the stranding. The pregnancy survived and produced T123C / Lucky the following year.
- Stanley is an adult male whose dorsal can be confused with T60C / Yelnats; the resemblance inspired Yelnats’ nickname.
- Darcy’s name comes from the D’Arcy Shoals, continuing the geographic naming theme around Sidney Island.
72 T124As — Kittiwake's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T124A / Kittiwake — female, born 1984
- T124A6 / Kasuun — male, born 2016
- T124A7 / Kite — female, born 2021
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T124A3 / Wasini — female, 2006–2020; found dead near Tenakee Springs, Alaska
- T124A3A — male, 2019–2021
- T124A5 — 2014–2015
- T124B — female, 1988–2008
- T124E / Murk — male, 1999–2021
Family notes
- Kittiwake is a daughter of T124 / Myrtle.
- Her siblings include T124C / Cooper and T124D / Field, while daughters T124A1, T124A2 and T124A4 lead separate branches.
Individual field notes
- Kittiwake has produced several daughters who now lead separate but frequently associating matrilines, including the T124A2s and T124A4s.
- The extended T124A family regularly reunites, creating groups of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and close-aged calves.
- Young T124A7 is the same age as niece T124A4A / Strix, making them an especially close-aged aunt-and-niece pair.
73 T124A1 — Bonaparte's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T124A1 / Bonaparte — female, born 1996
- T124A1A / Sabine — born 2024; catalogue designation exists, but maternity remains unresolved in recent observations
- T124A1B — calf designated by Bay Cetology in May 2026 while traveling with T124A1; treated as T124A1’s presumed calf in current field reports
Family notes
- Sabine has often been observed in close association with T124A4 / Sabio, creating uncertainty about whether the calf’s original matriline assignment reflects its biological mother. This guide preserves the catalogue designation but does not state maternity as settled.
- A second young calf was documented with Bonaparte in May 2026 and designated T124A1B. Unlike Sabine, the new calf was still consistently traveling with T124A1 when the May sightings recap was published.
Individual field notes
- Bonaparte’s is unusual because adult females typically travel with relatives, yet she is often documented alone.
- She still periodically rejoins her mother’s and sisters’ family groups.
- A 2024 calf was initially assigned to Bonaparte’s after traveling in echelon position beside her, but the calf later switched to T124A4 / Sabio and appeared to improve in condition.
- Because of that switch, maternity remains unresolved and the calf’s alphanumeric designation may eventually change.
74 T124A2s — Elkugu's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T124A2 / Elkugu — female, born 2001
- T124A2A / Agafia — male, born 2013
- T124A2B / Litton — female, born 2016
Family notes
- Elkugu is a daughter of T124A / Kittiwake.
Individual field notes
- Although Elkugu leads a separate matriline, she and her calves are frequently seen with Kittiwake and the neighboring T124A branches.
- Agafia is a male despite a nickname originally associated with a woman, so an additional or replacement nickname remains possible.
- Litton has been documented provoking a Steller sea-lion group strongly enough that the sea lions entered the water and chased her—an unusual reversal of the typical predator-prey interaction.
75 T124A4s — Sabio's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T124A4 / Sabio — female, born 2010
- T124A4A / Strix — female, born 2021
Status or relationship not fully resolved
- T124A1A / Sabine — born 2024; frequently associated with Sabio, but maternity is not treated as resolved here
Family notes
- Sabio is a daughter of T124A / Kittiwake.
- Sabine’s maternity remains unresolved: the calf was initially assigned to T124A1, later began traveling closely with T124A4 / Sabio, and may ultimately be reassigned if researchers confirm a different mother.
Individual field notes
- Sabio’s sex and early maternity history were not always consistently represented in older public guides; the family is a good example of how assignments can be revised as observations accumulate.
- Strix was born in 2021 and frequently travels and plays with similarly aged aunts and cousins in the larger T124A family.
- Sabine was initially catalogued as T124A1A, but after shifting from Bonaparte’s to Sabio and appearing healthier, researchers have kept maternity unresolved.
- Sabine’s nickname was deliberately chosen to connect both possible mothers: it resembles Sabio and also references a gull related to Bonaparte’s naming theme.
76 T124C — Cooper Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T124C / Cooper / AL18 — male, born 1992
Family notes
- Cooper often travels independently. In March 2026 he was repeatedly documented with T087 / Harbeson.
Individual field notes
- Cooper is a mature lone male, son of the late T124 / Myrtle, and carries the additional Alaska designation AL18.
- He frequently joins relatives and unrelated groups rather than traveling with one fixed matriline.
- Documented associates include the T123s, T65s, T71s, T124A branches and other lone males such as Harbeson and Jude.
77 T124Ds — Field's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T124D / Field — female, born 1996
- T124D1 / Salish II — born 2014
- T124D3 / Lupine — female, born 2021
- T124D4 / Dune — born 2024
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T124D2 / Seretse — 2017–2021
Family notes
- Field is a daughter of T124 / Myrtle and a sibling of T124A / Kittiwake and T124C / Cooper.
Individual field notes
- Field and her surviving offspring often associate with the larger T124 extended family.
- Salish II’s nickname reflects the Salish Sea, where many T124 descendants are encountered.
- Lupine is close in age to several relatives and often joins them in social play when family branches meet.
- Young Dune carries conspicuous rake marks around the dorsal base and back. Heavy juvenile rake scarring is observed in killer whales, but the specific cause of these marks is not known.
78 T125A — Jetsam Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T125A / Jetsam — male, born 1998
Family notes
- Jetsam and T128 / Flotsam are brothers and both are sons of T125. The two males do not associate with their mother.
Individual field notes
- Jetsam is a mature male and confirmed son of T125, who was still considered alive in 2025.
- He regularly travels with his brother T128 / Flotsam.
- Their paired nicknames come from the eel henchmen Flotsam and Jetsam, emphasizing the brothers’ recurring association.
79 T128 — Flotsam Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T128 / Flotsam — male, born 1988
Family notes
- Flotsam and T125A / Jetsam are brothers and both are sons of T125. The two males do not associate with their mother.
Individual field notes
- Flotsam carries the additional designation AV51 and is a confirmed son of T125.
- His dorsal widens strongly toward the base and carries a prominent lower notch.
- He is regularly documented with his brother T125A / Jetsam.
80 T137s — Loon's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T137 / Loon — female, born about 1984
- T137A / Jack — male, born 2002
- T137B / Tempest — female, born 2006
- T137D / Wright — female, born 2012
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T137C — born 2010; historical
Family notes
- T137A / Jack survived a severe injury to the caudal-peduncle region in 2019 and was later documented healed and traveling normally.
- T036 / Flapjack is presumed to be T137's mother, which would make T137 and T099 presumed sisters.
- T137D has been documented stalking harbor seals, illustrating the specialized mammal-hunting behavior of Bigg’s killer whales.
- Jack is known for unusually bold play behavior, including interactions with crab pots, and has twice been documented harassing adult gray whales.
Individual field notes
- Loon is widely treated as another possible daughter of T36 / Flapjack, linking the T137s to the same broad family network as the T99s. Her birth year is estimated at about 1984, which WUTA uses here.
- Loon’s large central dorsal notch is one of the family’s strongest visual ID features.
- Jack’s two dorsal notches make the adult male recognizable; his nickname traces back to youthful play around a boat’s jet wash.
- Jack has repeatedly played with crab pots and has also been documented harassing adult gray whales on two separate occasions.
- Tempest’s comparatively clean triangular dorsal contrasts strongly with her brother’s notched fin, while Wright carries a large triangular notch high on the trailing edge.
81 T146s — Oamaru's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T146 / Oamaru — female, born about 1987
- T146A / Oma — female, born 1999
- T146A1 — male, born 2018
- T146A2 — born 2023
- T146B / Chiloe — male, born 2002
- T146C / Svaha — female, born 2004
- T146C1 — born 2019
- T146D / Leah — female, born 2008
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T146E / Basho — 2011–2020
Family notes
- T146 / Oamaru is a daughter of T028 / Khaz.
- T146C / Svaha and T146D / Leah do not usually associate with their mother.
- T146D / Leah stranded on rocks on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, in 2021 and returned to the water after the tide rose roughly six hours later.
82 T167s — Walpole's family Matriline
Current / recently active members
- T167 / Walpole — female, born about 1992
- T167A / Doniol — male, born 2010
- T167B / Valcroze — born 2015
- T167C — female, born 2020
- T167D — born 2026
Family notes
- T167 is a daughter of T166 / Hobart.
- This family is more commonly associated with Southeast Alaska and is considered an unusual visitor to the Salish Sea.
83 T170 — Capilano / Shredder Historical lone whale
Historical / missing / presumed deceased
- T170 / Capilano / Shredder — male, 1974–2024
Family notes
- T170 was a distinctive adult male known across the region.
84 T172 — Katmai Lone whale
Current / recently active members
- T172 / Katmai — female, born about 1989
Family notes
- Katmai is commonly documented traveling independently.
85 T419s — unusual 2026 visitors Unusual visitors
Current / recently active members
- T419 — presumed adult female
- T420 — presumed male, estimated born around 2012
- T421 — presumed younger male, estimated born around 2021
Family notes
- This trio appeared in the Salish Sea in March 2026 after having been photo-documented near Anchorage, Alaska, roughly a year earlier, and they remained in the region into April—including a trip to the San Juan Islands.
- Their genetic population remains unresolved. They are transient-type mammal-eating killer whales, but they should not be treated as confirmed members of the familiar West Coast Transient coastal population.
- During their 2026 visit they associated with several familiar West Coast Transient matrilines. Their appearance makes them an important reminder that not every transient-type killer whale encountered in the Salish Sea belongs to the well-known coastal catalogue.
No catalogue entries match that search.
PRIMARY REFERENCES
Where the facts come from
This WUTA guide is independently written using current photo-identification catalogues, population assessments, field research and long-term observational data from the organizations below.
- Bay Cetology / FinWave
- Orca Behavior Institute
- Society for Marine Mammalogy
- Orca Conservancy
- NOAA Fisheries
- Center for Whale Research
Nicknames are informal and may vary between communities. T-numbers are the more reliable identifiers. Birth years, maternity, sex and status can be revised as researchers collect new evidence; public sources can also update on different schedules. Scientific or management use should therefore refer to the newest formal catalogue data, population assessments and research updates.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA INDEX
Family field notes and media identifications
Original field-gallery notes and media identifications connected to the Bigg’s killer whale families in this guide.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T046 - Decedents of Wake
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T046E "Thor" surfacing in the San Juan Islands
Gallery photographs:T046D "Strider" · T046D "Strider" surfacing. · T046F "Loki" surfacing near Stuart Island. · T046D "Strider" left side dorsal fin. · T122 "Centeki" surfacing near Stuart Island. · T046E "Thor" left side dorsal fin. · T046E "Thor" surfacing in front of Turn Point Lighthouse.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T060s - Panthera's Family
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T060D "Onca" breaching near Spiden Island
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T065 / Whidbey II and T063 / Chainsaw
I never get tired of seeing T063 “Chainsaw” on the water. His towering, unmistakably notched dorsal fin creates an immediate sense of excitement, and I love watching people light up when they realize which whale has just surfaced. Seeing Chainsaw traveling alongside his mother, T065 “Whidbey II,” makes the encounter even more special—one of the most recognizable males in the population still moving through the wild with his mom.
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T063 "Chainsaw"
Gallery photographs:T063 "Chainsaw" right side dorsal fin. · T063 "Chainsaw" with a powerful surfacing. · T063 "Chainsaw" · T063 "Chainsaw" surfacing. · T065 "Whidbey" tail slapping. · T065 "Whidbey" surfacing.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T069s — Komox's family
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T069 "Komox" with her son T069C "Kye" in B.C. waters.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T072 - Young/Captain Hook
T072 “Young” is the kind of whale whose presence can be felt the moment his dorsal fin breaks the surface. Watching that towering fin move through the water is always an impressive sight, and I’m continually drawn to its shape and identifying details from different angles. This gallery brings together some of my favorite views of one of the most commanding dorsal fins I’ve photographed.
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T072 "Young"
Gallery photographs:T072 "Young" surfacing in the Strait of Georgia.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T077s - Asja's family
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T077 "Asja" playing with a Rhinoceros Auklet.
Gallery photographs:T077C "Neftali" surfacing. · T077C "Neftali" · T077E "Misneach"
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T100s - Hutchins' family
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T100 "Hutchins" and her family.
Gallery photographs:T100C "Laurel" surfacing in the San Juan Islands. · T100C "Laurel" · T100F "Estrella" · T100 "Hutchins"
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T101s - Reef's Family
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T101B "Lagoon" surfacing near Vancouver Island.
Gallery photographs:T101B "Lagoon" left side dorsal fin.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T117s — Hecate's family
A closer look at the T117 family through photographs from my time on the water. These images highlight individual members of the family, including their dorsal fins, saddle patches, surfacing profiles, and other features that can help distinguish one whale from another.
WUTA FIELD NOTE
Photographing the T117s gives me a chance to document the small details that make each individual recognizable. I use these encounters and photographs as part of my ongoing field archive, building a visual record of the whales I’ve been fortunate enough to see in the wild.
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T117 "Hecate"
Gallery photographs:T117A "Nighthawk" · T117A "Nighthawk" surfacing. · T117B "Nyx" left side dorsal fin. · T117B1 "Noctis" surfacing. · T117 "Hecate" left side dorsal fin.
Field video: The T117 Family in the Wild
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T124C - Cooper
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T124C "Cooper"
Gallery photographs:T124 "Cooper" traveling with other Biggs.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T124A2s - Elkugu's family
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T124A2 "Elkugu" surfacing outside Friday Harbor, Washington.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T125A - Jetsam
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T125A "Jetsam" surfacing near Waldron Island.
Gallery photographs:T125A "Jetsam" surfacing near Sucia Island.
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T128 - Floatsam
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: T128 "Floatsam" surfacing near Jones Island.
Gallery photographs:T128 "Floatsam" surfacing with brother T125A "Jetsam"
WUTA FIELD MEDIA NOTES
T137s - Loon's Family
Photo & video identifications
Featured photograph: Jack Breaching
Gallery photographs:137A "Jack" surfacing in the San Juan Islands
