A new life has been spotted gliding through the waters near the San Juan Islands — a newborn Bigg’s killer whale calf, designated T046B3A. Observed east of Victoria, this tiny calf marks the continuation of a powerful lineage.
✨ This baby is the great-grandchild of Wake (T046), one of the last orcas captured in Washington State for SeaWorld back in 1976. Wake’s story sparked a wave of public outcry and legal action, ultimately leading to her release and a ban on further orca captures in the region.
This turning point, led by Ralph Munro, then assistant to the Washington governor, opened a new chapter for marine conservation. Wake went on to become the matriarch of a growing family — including her 14-year-old granddaughter Sedna (T046B3), now the mother of the new calf.
The calf, still bearing faint fetal folds and its signature orange hue, is estimated to be just one or two weeks old. Its birth is a sign of thriving life among Bigg’s orcas, whose population is growing — a hopeful contrast to the endangered Southern Resident orcas, who continue to face challenges due to dwindling salmon runs.
💙 The arrival of T046B3A is more than a biological event.
It’s a reminder of how compassion and action can restore balance — allowing life to flourish again where it was once threatened.