A newly born orca calf has been spotted in the Salish Sea—and its birth carries a powerful legacy. The calf is the first known offspring of T046B3, or “Sedna,” a Bigg’s killer whale descended from one of the last orcas captured by SeaWorld in U.S. waters. Sedna’s grandmother, known as “Wake,” was saved from captivity in the 1970s after a successful legal effort stopped the capture of wild whales in Puget Sound.
That pivotal moment helped preserve an entire orca lineage, and today, over 30 Bigg’s whales are alive thanks to those efforts. The newborn calf was seen swimming closely beside its mother and appears healthy, according to the Pacific Whale Watch Association. Bigg’s orcas now number over 400, a stark contrast to the critically endangered Southern Resident population of just 73. The sighting is both a symbol of resilience and a reminder of how conservation can shape the future for generations.