Orca Family Makes Rare Appearance in Vancouver's False Creek

The sighting of a mother orca and her three offspring highlights the ongoing recovery of marine life in the Salish Sea.

A family of transient orcas, including a mother and her three children, was spotted near downtown Vancouver on November 24, 2024, delighting ferry passengers in False Creek.
Marine researcher Andrew Trites identified the orcas as T35A and her offspring, aged 6, 11, and 14, marking their first recorded visit to the urban waterway.
The orcas were observed moving stealthily, likely hunting for seals, though researchers believe they did not catch any prey during the encounter.
The sighting is seen as evidence of the Salish Sea's ecological recovery, with growing populations of prey species like seals and sea lions supporting orca resurgence.
Transient orcas in British Columbia are listed as threatened, but their numbers are increasing, reflecting broader improvements in marine ecosystem health.