Penn Cove Orca Capture Commemoration

Orca captured during the 1970 Penn Cove captures
Photo ©  Dr. Terry Newby - Used with permission.

In memory of the 45 Southern Resident orcas captured in Washington State, and the 13 orcas killed during the captures, and in honor of Lolita, the sole survivor.

The Penn Cover Capture Commemoration
Sunday August 9th, 2009, 4 - 7  pm
Coupeville Rec Hall
901 NW Alexander
Coupeville, Whidbey Island WA

Featuring historic KING 5 TV news clips of the 1971 Penn Cove capture, with commentary by the late Don McGaffin.

Purchase tickets by contacting: info@orcanetwork.org or 1-866-ORCANET or at the door. Orca Network is a 501 c3 nonprofit and Washington State Charitable organization. Cost is $20/person, with proceeds going to Orca Network Educational programs.

On the 39th anniversary of the first Penn Cove Orca Capture, Orca Network holds its annual commemoration of all the Southern Resident orcas taken during the capture era, and honors Lolita, the only survivor, who lives alone at the Miami Seaquarium where she was delivered in 1970.

The Southern Resident Orcas

Much has changed in the lives of the Southern Resident orcas, or J, K and L pods. "Granny", one of the elder females of J pod who is believed to be over 90 years of age, lived in a time when abundant chinook salmon runs provided plenty of food, the waters were clean, and the habitat undisturbed. But the impacts of an ever-increasing human population has taken its toll on Granny and her family.

At one time humans feared the orcas, or "killer whales", and they were commonly shot at or used for military target practice. Then in the 1960s and 70s, that fear changed to a realization that orcas were not dangerous killers, but were intelligent and trainable, and the marine park industry was born. During this period, 45 Southern Resident orcas were captured and delivered to marine parks, and another dozen or more were killed during the captures. 

The Captures

KING 5TV reporter Don McGaffin happened to be on vacation in Coupeville during the 1971 orca capture, and ended up being "on assignment" along with KING 5TV cameramen, to document the capture. Four or more orcas had died in Penn Cove during the first capture there in August 1970, so the captors were not very receptive to having media cover the capture. Longtime Secretary of State Ralph Munro comments, "Many whales died during the capture era, and at one time McGaffin felt that the captors were trying to kill him for taking the photos. This film is unbelievable.?" 

These news clips recently surfaced, and include moving documentation of the whales being captured, commentary by Don McGaffin, and interviews with a diverse cross-section of politicians, biologists, and marine park personnel from the 1970s.

Finally in 1976 a count was taken of the remaining orca population, and it was discovered that one third to one half had been removed, all of them younger whales, the impacts of which are still felt today on this fragile, small population. With just 71 orcas remaining, the captures were finally stopped, and the Southern Resident population slowly climbed to nearly 100 by the mid 1990s. But humans have continued to hamper the survival of the Southern Resident orcas. Their population crashed to just 78 whales in 2001, due to salmon depletion, toxins in the water, and habitat disturbance, and they were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2005. The population currently is around 86, and their survival still hangs in the balance.

August 9th - The Event

Please join us on Sunday August 9th to learn more about the orca captures, Lolita - the sole survivor of all orcas captured - and her family. The event takes place from 4 - 7pm at the Coupeville Rec Hall, 901 NW Alexander, in historic Coupeville, Whidbey Island.  

In addition to a showing of the historic 1971 news clips, the evening will include displays of photos of the 1970 Penn Cove capture by Wallie Funk and Dr. Terry Newby, a waterside ceremony, silent auction, appetizers and beverages. 

Tickets may be purchased in advance from Orca Network at info@orcanetwork.org or 360-678-3451, or at the door. Donations of auction items welcome. 

For more information, visit: Orca Network