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VIDEO: New record, Victoria expert says 72 whales spotted the most in one day

Clusters seen between Hood Canal in Puget Sound, Campbell River on Vancouver Island

A new single-day record has been set as a whopping 72 BiggBԪַs killer whales were spotted Thursday in the Salish Sea.

Over the course of the day on March 31, 10 different groups of the orcas were reported throughout the region by the .

The whale sighting locations ranged from the Hood Canal in WashingtonBԪַs Puget Sound, as far north as Campbell River in central Vancouver Island.

The largest group was observed near the northern part of the San Juan Islands, where 18 whales were clustered.

Mark Malleson, a Victoria-based researcher for the , confirmed the new record.

BԪַThere have been days in the last decade with around 50 different BiggBԪַs killer whales reported, maybe 60,BԪַ said Malleson, BԪַbut Thursday was certainly the most so far.BԪַ

One of the most recognizable whales spotted Thursday was T63 Chainsaw, an adult male born in 1978.

Chainsaw, known for its jagged dorsal fin, and its mother, T65 Whidbey, were seen near the American border in Haro Strait.

BiggBԪַs killer whales are named as such as they hunt marine mammals. The species is currently thriving given the abundance of seals and sea lions in the region.

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