A5 pod is a name given to a group of orcas (Orcinus orca) found off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the northern resident population of orcas - a name given to the fish-eating orcas found in coastal waters ranging from mid-Vancouver Island up through the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia and into the southeastern portions of Alaska.

The orcas of the northern resident community are divided into vocally distinctive clans known as the A clan, the G clan, and the R clan. Members of the A5 pod belong to the A clan.

When studies first began, it was assumed all orcas travelling together were part of the same pod. Initially, males were also thought to lead harems of females and their young. Some pods were named for a distinctive male while others were named for other distinctive individuals.

Over time, studies showed that these congregations of orcas were not all the same pod. Rather, they were matrilines - a mother and her offspring up to the fourth generation. Nonetheless, the pod names remained. Generally, matrilines within a pod frequently socialize with one another, moreso than with orcas from another pod.

A5 pod itself was named for a male, A5, also known as Top Notch. He was part of the A9 matriline, of which is mother, A9 (also known as Scar or Eve) was the leader. The A5 pod is currently made up of three matrilines. Unfortunately, that of A9 has died out with her sons, A5 (Top Notch) and A26 (Foster). She had no surviving daughters to carry on her line.

As a whole, A5 pod was captured several times during the 1970's, in order to take young orcas into aquariums around the world. Almost an entire generation of orcas were taken from different families of the A5 pod.

Currently, only one orca from these captures still survives to this day. She is, in fact, the only surviving member of those from the northern resident community taken into captivity. Her name is Corky, and currently she lives at SeaWorld in San Diego, California. From studies of this population, it is known that her mother was A23, also known as Stripe. Unfortunately, A23 died in 2000, at the approximate age of 53 years old. Corky also has a brother, A27 (Okisollo), also deceased. Her family currently consists of a younger sister, A43 (Ripple) and younger brother A60 (Fife).

Other notable members of the A5 pod include A14, also known as Saddle. She was easily recognized by her unique saddle patch - a marking behind the dorsal fin. A14's daughter, A25 (Sharky) was also known for having a unique and very distinct pointed dorsal fin.

Books

• Ford, John K.B.; Ellis, Graeme M.; & Balcomb, Kenneth C. (2000). Killer Whales (2nd ed.). UBC Press. ISBN 0-7748-0800-4.
• Hoyt, Erich. (1990). Orca: The Whale Called Killer (3rd ed.). London: Robert Hale Limited. ISBN 0-920656-25-0.