Pair of Killer Whales Wow Crowds Along Oregon Coast - Video

Published 04/27/26 at 8:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) - A pair of orcas wowed crowds along the central Oregon coast this weekend, surfacing repeatedly off Newport and Depoe Bay and generating excitement to shouts of glee among whale watchers and researchers. (Photos Julie Conrad)

Local whale experts confirmed Sunday that the animals seen on April 25 at Yaquina Head were T050E, born in 2013, and T050B1, born in 2012. These were members of the transient killer whale group nicknamed the “Coos Bay Killers.”

Researcher Julie Conrad said only two individuals were positively identified, though the rest of the pod was likely nearby.

The group is well known to Oregon observers. They made national headlines in May 2023 after being documented with another pod during a successful hunt of a juvenile gray whale near Cape Foulweather. That rather gruesome but awe-inspiring event was captured in video and stills by dozens of people in the area. Dozens Watch and Document Orcas Attack, Kill Baby Whale on Oregon Coast: More Videos - Battle between gray whale mother and the pod lasted hours

T050E’s older brother, T050D, also made several appearances along the coast last spring while traveling with the T049B’s.

“This group is phenomenal,” Conrad said.

Her team received hundreds of photos and videos from Saturday’s sighting, which she described as a massive identification puzzle. After narrowing down the possibilities, one image showing a clear eye patch confirmed the IDs.

“A killer whale’s eye patch is as unique as a fingerprint,” she said.

Conrad thanked the many coastal residents and visitors who submitted images.

“Not only is it helpful for research, but it helps others get to see them too,” she said. “Many people in this group aren’t able to get to the beach, but they love living vicariously through those of us who are able to share such amazing experiences. Plus, we’re setting a great example of how citizen science can make such a big impact.”

Those with photos, videos, or historical orca sightings are encouraged to share them with the Oregon Whale Sightings project. Email oregonwhalesightings@gmail.com and include as many details as possible.

Seen here is video she took from the cliff above Newport's Cobble Beach.

“It's kinda long, but it's incredibly cool to get to observe them swimming underwater, and watching how they work together,” Conrad said.

Conrad said many observers reported seeing nothing graphic during the encounter, which she noted is typical. Most predation happens quickly and out of view beneath the surface, so researchers look instead for behavioral cues such as lateral head-shaking, a motion similar to what’s seen in sharks. More graphic moments can occur when killer whales share prey or when adults are teaching younger animals to hunt.

She added that a killer whale can swallow a seal pup whole, meaning encounters are often far less visible or dramatic than people might expect.

Then there's an intriguing bit of Oregon coast orca trivia that arises from this weekend's incident.

“I did notice something interesting, “ Conrad told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. “One year ago Saturday, the T050's were seen in Tillamook Bay.”

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