Killer Whales That Avoided Penn Cove in Washington for 50 Years Due to Capture Make Comeback, Stun Experts

Orcas have restarted their tryst with Penn Cove, after a tragic parting in the 1970s. Penn Cove, a region off the coast of Washington State has not been filled with happy memories for these whales, IFL Science reported.

Multiple incidents of orca captures in the area resulted in the mammals avoiding the location for decades. Hence, when some orcas were spotted in the waters of Penn Cove researchers were ecstatic.

In 1970 and 1971, multiple orcas were herded into Penn Cove with the help of explosives and taken into captivity, Herald Net reported. Ted Griffin and his associates allegedly sold these orcas to marine parks worldwide. On August 8, 1970, three young orcas drowned in Penn Cove, amidst a capture attempt. After many instances of losses, orcas stopped coming.

Experts believe that whales shared information regarding the dangers of the area within their kind, and later it was passed down from one generation to another, IFL Science reported.

"Orcas are cultural animals [and] pass down information generationally. The whales that experienced captures in the 70s forever avoided the area and taught their offspring to avoid it as well," Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit aimed towards marine-life protection, explained.

Over the years, authorities have passed many regulations to protect orcas in the region, IFL Science reported. But likely due to past traumas, the group had avoided Penn Cove. Hence, their sudden return both stunned and delighted the experts.

Ocean Conservancy is still not sure regarding the reason behind this return, but they have their speculations. "One possible explanation is that there has been enough lapse in generations that the younger generation is more open to exploring new places. It’s entirely possible that today they decided to duck into Penn Cove to get out of the wind gusts and rest," they said.

The recently spotted mammals were identified as Southern Resident killer whales also known as Orcas by researchers, Herald Net reported. Cindi Rausch, a whale enthusiast was moved after witnessing the emotional comeback. "It is a mystery why they chose to return now, but I certainly was grateful and humbled to witness it," she said.

Howard Garrett, co-founder of Orca Network, followed the path undertaken by orcas which led them to Pen Cove, Herald Net reported. According to him, the whales came to Penn Cove in November, while making their way to the area between the Coupeville Wharf and Monroe Landing. As per his analysis, the whales were not foraging in the region, rather they were exploring.

Garrett specifically pointed out the orcas poking their head out of the water, to look at their surrounding, while making this assertion. He added that this behavioral pattern does not match with the actions displayed by orcas while hunting.

Orca Network founder, Susan Berta, believes that the orcas are trying to write a new chapter about their relationship with the area, one that is not fraught with loss and tragedy, Herald Net reported. "It feels like they were there to do their own healing ceremony," she said.