Orcas back in Puget Sound

BREMERTON – Orcas have returned to Puget Sound waters with a new baby.

All three pods – J, K and L – were spotted Tuesday in the San Juan Islands. Howard Garret of Orca network said it was the first time since October they had been seen together.

The whale watchers were excited to see the baby orca, which has been designated L-119 by the Center for Whale Research.

The Kitsap Sun reports it’s the second known offspring for the mother, L-77, a 25-year-old named Matia. Her first baby two years ago survived only a few months.

Counting the new calf, the population of the endangered southern resident orcas is 88 – 26 in J pod, 20 in K pod and 42 in L pod.