While Chainsaw is an iconic fin here in the Salish Sea, sometimes his mom, Whidbey II, gets forgotten in the fuss, which is a shame. Whidbey II is a fantastic whale, with three known children (T063 Chainsaw, T065A Artemis, and T065B Chunk). The two ladies have dispersed from the rest of the group, but momma’s boy Chainsaw has stuck by Whidbey’s side, which is very common for adult males. Today was no different, and we found these two travelling through the waves together just south of Porlier Pass. Today’s small but mighty pod includes:

T065 Whidbey II ♀ (1968)
T063 Chainsaw ♂ (1978)

In orca society, it’s the matriarch, or mother, who runs the show. Matriarchs are a wealth of knowledge and experience, playing a pivotal role in their calves’ lives. There is no paternal care or obligation after breeding occurs, so mothers are left to raise their calves on their own. Orcas have an incredibly long gestation period, often carrying a pregnancy for 15 to 18 months. Once she gives birth, the mother will nurse her calf with nutrient-rich milk for up to two years. During this time, she also teaches her baby valuable hunting skills, which become essential once the calf is weaned. Matriarchs often lead hunts, showing their young how to work cooperatively to become efficient hunters. Older sisters may also take on this role, teaching and hunting alongside their younger siblings. All of her children stay with her as they grow, learning from her years of experience as well as from other whales they may encounter. Matriarchs often interact with other pods, even relatives, in gatherings called “T parties.” These intricate social events provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and the development of a wide range of social skills.

Once females reach puberty, they may eventually disperse to lead their own matrilines. This is especially common in pods with multiple daughters, as having several reproductive females can result in many calves within one pod, which can strain the group’s complex but efficient hunting system. Once a matriarch reaches post-reproductive age, she will go through menopause around 40–50 years old, much like humans. Orcas can live an incredibly long time, often well into their 80s and 90s. Even in these later years, matriarchs continue to play a vital role within their families, mentoring younger whales and increasing their family’s survival through the transfer of ecological knowledge. This extended post-reproductive lifespan is exceptionally rare in the animal kingdom, further highlighting just how advanced and complex orca society truly is.

Whidbey has had a very successful lineage so far, with three known children of her own and nine grandchildren, ranging from ages 2 to 21! Her daughters have dispersed and started families of their own, while her son Chainsaw has remained by his mother’s side, and likely will for the rest of her life. Orca mothers tend to favour their sons over their daughters, caring for them regardless of age. While it’s not uncommon for an adult male to disperse, many eventually return to their mothers later in life. From an evolutionary standpoint, it is advantageous for a mother to have sons over daughters, as males can reproduce freely without the same caregiving obligations females face. That being said, this extensive care for sons often comes at a cost to the mother’s own reproductive success.

Researchers studying Southern Resident populations have found that mothers with sons are more likely to experience reduced reproductive success, a trend not observed with daughters. Furthermore, this burden doesn’t diminish as males age and become more self-sufficient; they continue to depend on their mothers for their entire lives. A mother’s love truly knows no end!

After spending some time with these two, we continued on our way, braving the waves to continue our search. And while we didn’t see any humpbacks today, we did see a ton of pinnipeds! Guests were treated to the sweet sights of Harbour seals lounging in the surf, and Steller Sea Lions roaring on the rocks. We finished up the day at the Gabriola bluffs, checking out the last of the cormorant chicks for the season.

All photos taken by Marine Naturalists Val Watson and Desarae Poier.

August 25, 2025, 10:30 AM - Whidbey II and her son, Chainsaw!