Orca Network celebrates return of gray whales with virtual event

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Orca Network will be hosting its annual Welcome the Whales Festival this week virtually through the Zoom videoconferencing application

Each year, starting in February and March, a small population of gray whales return to the north Puget Sound to feed on ghost shrimp, a significant component of their diet. After feeding for several months, the whales continue their migration to the arctic.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 16, Orca Network will hold its Art Night Fundraiser. Participants will learn how to draw a Zentangle whale. The cost to attend the event is $25.

From 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 17, the group will hold its Zoom festival with a Wishing Whale dedication, followed by a virtual parade and whale watch. Included as part of the evening’s programming will be educational videos about gray whales and a research webinar with guest speakers John Calambokidis of Cascadia Research Collective and Holly Fearnbach of Sealife Response, Research and Rehabilitation and John Durban of Southall Environmental Associates. Saturday’s event will be free, although pre-registration will be required for both events.

For more information about the upcoming virtual Welcome the Whales Festival, or to report whale sightings, visit http://www.orcanetwork.org or call 1-866-ORCANET.