Pod of 'very active' killer whales seen for first time ever in Monterey Bay

A pod of transient killer whales from the Pacific Northwest was seen for the first time ever in Monterey Bay on June 17, 2019. A pod of transient killer whales from the Pacific Northwest was seen for the first time ever in Monterey Bay on June 17, 2019. Photo: Randy Straka, Randy Straka / Princess Monterey Whale Watching Photo: Randy Straka, Randy Straka / Princess Monterey Whale Watching Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Pod of 'very active' killer whales seen for first time ever in Monterey Bay 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Whale watchers off the Central California coast Monday were exceptionally lucky; they witnessed a local animal encounter that has never been documented before. An identified pod of transient killer whales from the Pacific Northwest was seen in Monterey Bay for the first time in recorded history. Among them was a very young calf.

"I've been studying the killer whales here for 32 years and it's very rare for us to see new families these days, as all have been identified over the years," said Nancy Black, marine biologist with Monterey Bay Whale Watch.

Black says this specific pod of eight whales was first identified in Puget Sound and has been seen a few times before in the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia.

The family may have been new to the area, but the orcas weren't shy. After feeding on a harbor porpoise, they burned off energy by being extra playful.

ALSO: 'Most mysterious of all whales' spotted off Monterey coast

Randy Straka, a photographer with Princess Monterey Whale Watching, called the group "very active," and his video proves it. The orcas can be seen spyhopping, splashing and showing off for tour groups nearby.

Earlier this year, another pod of killer whales from the Pacific Northwest was spotted around Monterey for the first time since 2011. The group of 35 orcas, called the "L Pod," are usually in the waterways of Seattle and Vancouver. Marine biologists suspect they strayed far from home because they're struggling to find adequate salmon up north and are being forced to search elsewhere.

Alix Martichoux is an SFGate supervising producer. Read her latest stories and send her news tips at alix.martichoux@sfgate.com.