In a deeply moving scene that touched researchers and whale watchers, a well-known Northern Resident killer whale, I76, died in Johnstone Strait on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The 28-year-old male was surrounded by his close family and a group of dolphins during his final hours, a moment witnesses described as both heartbreaking and profound.
Marine biologist Jared Towers, executive director of Bay Cetology, was called to the area after reports that I76 appeared weak and emaciated. He was located near the entrance to Blackney Pass on the Vancouver Island side of the strait. Close by were his 45-year-old mother, I4, his 22-year-old sister, and his young nephew. As I76 slipped beneath the surface for the last time, dolphins circled the pod, remaining with them through the final moments.
“I’ve had to change the official status of many Northern Resident orcas from alive to deceased over the years, but I have never watched one pass until this day,” Towers shared in a heartfelt social media post. He reflected on years of observing I76 socializing, foraging, and playing, recalling one especially vivid memory from July 2024: “He was healthy then, chasing a big salmon past my boat. I like this memory of him, and like to think he enjoyed that moment too.”
OrcaLab researchers also documented the event, noting the quiet, grief-like behavior of I76’s family and the dolphins that lingered motionless around them until his final breath. Helena Symonds of OrcaLab described the moment as profoundly sad, with the family remaining in place before beginning to vocalize.
Northern Resident killer whales are known for their lifelong family bonds. They feed primarily on Chinook salmon and are currently listed as “threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, facing challenges such as declining prey, pollution, and vessel traffic.
I76’s death is a significant loss for the Northern Resident community, a population of more than 200 whales across 34 pods ranging from northern Vancouver Island to southeast Alaska. His passing is a poignant reminder of both the fragility of these iconic whales and the importance of continued conservation efforts.
