Killer Whales Visit Seattle, Stun Locals

0:00A pod of 3-killer whales just rolled into Seattle like their on vacation, hitting up the Puget Sound right by the space needle and downtown, Skyline. These orcas aren't locals. They first popped up in Vancouver back in March and they've made repeat visits around the area's shorelines over the past. Month, thrilling everyone spotting them. Researchers, I did them from old photos taken in Alaska, waters last year. It's an adult female with her two offspring, including a big young male. They've been tagged as transients, T419, T420 and T421, since they roam and hunt instead of sticking to one spot. Whale watchers are losing their minds over this. Folks who chase orcas for years finally get shoreviews without a boat. One photographer drove 10 hours just to catch them, calling it epic, and the sightings keep drawing crowds. What sets these three apart are the round scars from cookie cutter sharks, proof they've cruised the open ocean where those predators hang out.

1:00Experts figure they're from Alaska, maybe the Aleutian Islands, and now hunting seals, sea lions and porpoises here in the Salish Sea, plenty of meals, to go around. These transients have turned into instant stars, giving locals and visitors those once in a lifetime looks that make the whole region buzz with, excitement. That wraps up Vancouver News today, brought to you with AI, I'm Corey, with the story.