Assassin Whales

Hosts Lora, Heather, and Rebecca dive deep into the world of orca, also known as killer whales. Lora explains that orca are technically the largest members of the dolphin family, and breaks down the different ecotypes found in the Pacific (resident, transient, offshore) and Antarctic. She highlights the matriarch-led social structure of resident orca, their remarkable intelligence, specialized hunting techniques (including the dangerous beaching method), and their highly specific diets. The episode also covers two emotionally resonant stories: marine biologist Dr. Ingrid Visser, who swims alongside orca in New Zealand, and Tahlequah, the Salish Sea orca who carried her deceased calf for 17 days in mourning. The hosts passionately discuss the ethics of keeping orca in captivity, referencing the documentary Blackfish and the story of Keiko (the whale from Free Willy). The episode wraps up with a lighter story about Atlantic orca near the Strait of Gibraltar who have been sinking boats — apparently just for fun.