A popular pod of Southern Resident killer whales has returned to their feasting grounds off Southern Vancouver Island. For the first time in two months, a large pod of 24 killer whales has returned to interior waters after a decrease of salmon may have driven them further south to Washington State off the Juan de Fuca Islands. Staff at the Center for Whale Research at Friday Harbour confirmed earlier this month that incoming whales west of Sheringham Lighthouse were Resident killer whales returning after a period of absence from the area. The centre says the whales seemed to be in good health except for some of the youngest in the pod who seemed to be in some nutritional distress due to recent poor salmon years in the Salish Sea.