Killer Whale

Not a true whale, the Killer Whale is the largest member of the Dolphin family. This particular individual is known as T14 and Pender. His designation "T" is because he is what is known as a transient and not a member of the any of the three resident pods in the Puget Sound region. In March 1976 Pender and his mother Flores were captured along with a number of other orcas. Due to public complaints, most were released, but Flores and Pender were kept for scientific purposes. Both were sent to Seattle Marine Aquarium where they were radio-tagged after 55 days, and then released.
Male Orcas stay with their mothers all of their lives, and Pender stayed with his until she died sometime around1998 or 1999.
Orcas have a long lifespan, A live member of the Southern Resident J pod "Granny" is 100 years old! Pender is believed to have been born in 1964, making him middle aged at 47.
One striking difference between the Resident and Transient Orcas is their Diet. resident Pacific Northwest Whales are Fish Eaters, The transients do not eat fish, they eat marine and land mammals.