T46 Wake (orca)
Orca T46, also known as Wake, was a transient or Bigg’s killer whale thought to have been born in 1966.[1] She was the matriarch of the T46s and one of the most successful mothers with 8 total presumed offspring, 15 possible grand calves, and 5 possible great-grand calves.[2] Wake was one of the Budd Inlet Six, a group of 6 transient killer whales that were captured in 1976 and held in Budd Inlet to be sold off to aquariums.[2]
Wake was last spotted near Alert Bay, B.C., on Feb. 20, 2023.[1] After nearly a year without a sighting, she is presumed dead.[1] Her family has been seen repeatedly without her since then.[1] Despite her absence, the transient population continues to thrive, with the Bigg’s population growing by about four per cent each year.[1]
See also
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 'Prolific' killer whale matriarch Wake presumed dead after nearly a year without a sighting cbc.ca
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Transient Killer Whales Orca Conservancy