T046 Wake & The Budd Inlet Six- Whale Feature
Meet Wake
Wake (T046) is an approximately 56 year old female transient (Bigg’s) killer whale, thought to have been born in 1966. She is the matriarch of her large family and part of an important history which resulted in the end of the live-capture industry in BC and WA.
T046 Wake (left) and her son T046F Loki (right). Image credit: Emily Perkovic.
The Budd Inlet Six and the End of Live Capture
In March of 1976 (47 years ago), a group of 6 transient killer whales, including T046 Wake (as well as T013, T014, T026, T027, and T047), were caught in Budd Inlet, WA. Using an array of boats, planes, and explosives, this group, later dubbed the ‘Budd Inlet Six’ was captured with the intention of sending them to marine parks/aquariums.
This incident ironically took place not only while the WA State Governor’s assistant happened to be on a boat nearby watching the scene develop, but also during which a 3-day killer whale conference at a nearby state college was occurring; the attendees of which becoming witnesses to the unfolding events.
While the live capture of orcas was legal at the time and had been for years, this particular incident resulted in an outpouring of public outcry and media attention which led to the release of these whales and helped bring an end to the live capture industry in WA and BC.
A Worthy Name
Wake (T046) was named after Nancy Wake - a WWII heroine and member of the French Resistance who helped many Allied soldiers and Jewish refugees escape France during the war.
A Lasting Legacy and a Big Bigg’s Family
Wake is the matriarch of a large family, presumed to have had 8 offspring, with many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family lineage is thought to encompass 24 whales – one of the largest of the local transient killer whale population.
The presumed extended family of T046. Sex is denoted by colour: pink=female, blue=male, green=unknown.
