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Story summary
- In April 2026, three mammal-eating orcas were spotted in Elliot Bay, Seattle, after traveling 1,500–2,000 miles from Alaska.
- Monika Wieland Shields of Orca Behavioral Institute notes it's rare for undocumented killer whales to appear locally.
- Researchers track these whales through markings, revealing range shifts tied to prey availability.
- Southern resident killer whales shift travel patterns due to a decline in wild salmon, while Bigg's rise with harbor seals and porpoises.
