Animals Killer whales amaze Seattle onlookers with a rarely seen bird hunt A pod of orcas swam close to shore and amazed onlookers in Seattle by treating the whale watchers to the rare sight of the apex predators hunting a bird. Associated Press
Environment Does that orca have a baby bump? Drones can tell from the air Orcas, like humans, get baby bumps in the early months of pregnancy and grow larger as the pregnancy advances. Researchers say they can now spot those underwater baby bumps from the air and keep better tabs on the maternal health of whales. John Ryan
Environment Grieving orca mom carries dead calf on her nose for fifth day An endangered orca mother has been carrying her dead newborn calf on her snout for nearly a week around Washington’s Puget Sound. John Ryan
Environment Famous orca mom carries another dead calf around Puget Sound Two newborn calves joined the Northwest's endangered orcas in December. By New Year’s Eve, one of them was dead — and being carried around on its mother’s nose. John Ryan
Environment Endangered orcas’ circle of life: one baby dies, another is born A baby orca at first believed to be J61, which hadn't been seen for nearly a week, turned out to be a brand-new baby instead. Researchers now presume J61 is dead. John Ryan
Environment Newborn orca brings holiday cheer — and fear — to Seattle whale watchers What might be the world’s most famous orca has given birth again. John Ryan
Environment Southern Resident orcas have been seen wearing salmon ‘hats.’ But it's not all fun and games Deborah Giles told KUOW’s Kim Malcolm that while this "salmon hat" phenomenon is certainly noteworthy, it's likely not a hopeful sign of long-term recovery. Kim Malcolm John O'Brien
Environment Too much cyanide in Puget Sound? EPA to review state regulations Federal officials have agreed to take another look at how Washington state regulates a deadly poison — cyanide. John Ryan
Environment Endangered Northwest orca population drops as 3 males die Three members of the Northwest’s population of endangered orcas died over the past year. John Ryan
