Endangered Southern Resident Orca Whales & Navy Growler Jets

33 Southern Resident L pod orcas returned to Penn Cove for the first known time since their family endured horrific trauma and loss there in 1970 and 1971.

November 4, 2024:

"As the sun began to set, the pod was calmly making their way back toward Long Point, nearing the entrance to Penn Cove. Suddenly, and much to our dismay, military exercises commenced, with fighter jets performing continuous, nonstop, touch and go landings. The noise was absolutely deafening–so loud in fact that my camera visibly shook as the exercises started. It was clear that the whales were disturbed too. They immediately changed direction, began spy hopping, and tail slapping, and grouped together as they swiftly left the area. The sound was so overwhelming that, despite the whales being closer than they had been, I had to retreat to my car. I ended up with a pounding headache, and my ears were ringing. It was hard to imagine how intense and stressful it must have been, not just for the whales, but for the residents of Whidbey Island, who are subjected to these disruptions from time to time. The following day, L pod left the Sound, and I can only hope this experience didn’t leave a sour note on what had otherwise been a peaceful, healing visit."

Account from J.Cantrell

Read the full story here:

Southern Resident Orcas Return to Penn Cove Capture Scene

By Howard Garrett,

Orca Network co-founder

Digital Zine Kit

Help us raise awareness around the impacts of Navy EA-18G Growler jets on our endangered Southern Resident killer whales! Watch the video above to learn about our Orca Zine (pronounced ZEEN) and hear the story about L-Pod's return to Penn Cove.

Download our Orca Zine and print it at home so you can share it with your friends, pass it out at events, keep it on your coffee table, or use as a conversation starter!