Penn Cove Orca Capture Commemoration Coupeville Wharf, Whidbey Island 
Thursday August 8, 2019 

Photo: Wallie Funk

49 years ago over 100 Southern Resident orcas were herded into Penn Cove off Whidbey Island, WA.  Seven of the young whales were netted and delivered to marine parks around the world.  All but one had died by 1987. Originally named Tokitae, they now call her Lolita.  In memory of the nearly 40 Southern Resident orcas captured in Washington State, and the 13 orcas killed during the captures, and in honor of Tokitae, the sole survivor, Orca Network is sponsoring a series of events on Tuesday August 8th to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the 1970 Penn Cove Orca Capture.

Please join us as we commemorate the capture of Southern Resident orcas in Penn Cove and honor Tokitae/Lolita - the only survivor of those captures.

On Thursday August 8th From 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm, we will be at the Coupeville Wharf with educational displays and information about Tokitae and the orca captures.

From 3:00 to 5:00 the Suva and Cutty Sark will provide ceremonial boat trips into Penn Cove. We'll travel to the capture sites in Penn Cove for a wreath ceremony to remember the orcas killed in the captures, and those who have died in captivity. If you have your own boat or kayak you are welcome to join us in Penn Cove for a procession to the capture site. We'll provide flowers and cedar sprigs to toss into the water, or you may bring your own flower or other eco-friendly offering to toss in the water during the ceremony. Howard Garrett and Orca Network staff will be onboard to talk about the captures, and John Stone, Capt. of the Cutty Sark, will share stories as a witness of the orca captures in 1970 and 1971.

Tickets for the boat trip are $75 donation to Orca Network and registration is available via the Registration button below. 

At 5:30 pm we will hold a program and waterside ceremony at the Coupeville Wharf including Howard Garrett and Susan Berta of Orca Network, a waterside ceremony and blessing by the Samish Nation, and news from the Lummi Nation on new actions being taken for Tokitae.

At 6:00 pm we will honor Toki’s Southern Resident family with a vigil of remembrance for their recent losses and of hope for their recovery. Please join us at the Coupeville Wharf, or at a beach near you, and observe a moment of silence for the Southern Residents and for Tokitae.

After the Coupeville Wharf event, we invite those interested to a no-host gathering at the Captain Whidbey Inn lounge/deck. 

Contact Orca Network at cindy@orcanetwork.org or check out our website www.orcanetwork.org for more information.

Register Now!Register here for the ceremonial boat trip to the capture site