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Chopper captures video of pod of orcas off Elliott Bay

Chopper 7 captured video of a large pod of orcas off Elliott Bay on Monday.

About a dozen orcas were spotted splashing and jumping together.

Last year, nearly 30 different Bigg’s orca whales were seen over the Labor Day weekend around the Sound.

According to the Orca Behavior Institute, Bigg’s killer whales have set a new sightings record in the region, with 793 unique sightings as of Monday with more than four months left in 2021. The previous record of 747 unique sightings was set in 2019.

Killer whales are identified using markings on their dorsal fins and backs.