Southern resident orca mom desperately pushes dead calf; another 'severely emaciated'
Heartbreaking photos of a southern resident orca trying to urge its dead newborn calf to swim have shined an ever-brightening light on the plight of the species.
The last generation of southern resident killer whales?
SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. -- "If we want to keep them around, we’ve gotta do something fast," said Ken Balcomb, a leading researcher on the southern resident killer whales.It’s a warning we’ve heard before."We are in critical danger of losing these orcas all together," Balcomb had told Q13 News five years ago when it put a spotlight on this 'Species on the Brink' of extinction."Could it happen?
Trump administration seeks endangered species rule changes
DENVER (AP) — The Trump administration wants to change how endangered species are protected by the U.S. government.Administration officials on Thursday proposed new rules they said would advance conservation by simplifying and improving how the landmark Endangered Species Act is used.The changes include potential limits on habitat protections, an end to automatic protections for threatened plants and animals, and streamlining inter-agency consultations when federal government actions could jeopardize a species.Wildlife advocates say the changes will speed extinctions in the name of furthering the administration's anti-environment agenda.The proposals come amid longstanding criticism of the Endangered Species Act by business groups and Republicans in Congress.Republicans lawmakers are pushing legislation to enact broad changes to the Endangered Species Act, saying it hinders economic activities while doing little to restore species.
Newborn orca found dead in Ocean Shores
A newborn orca was found dead late Saturday in Ocean Shores.
US House approves bill that would allow the killing of sea lions
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday that would allow the lethal removal of sea lions in order to save endangered salmon and steelhead populations -- the primary food source for the endangered Southern Resident orcas.
Researchers say Puget Sound orca missing and presumed dead
Researchers say an adult male orca is missing and presumed dead as resident killer whales struggle with a dearth of salmon in the Salish Sea.
Puget Sound anglers impacted, buyers forced to outsource by decreasing salmon population
The Puget Sound is home to more than 200 fish species. However, none are likely more iconic than the salmon is to the Seattle area.
New baby killer whale in our waters: a closer look at why that's not good news for our local orcas
Whale watchers have spotted a new baby killer whale in the Salish Sea. It's some amazing new video of the estimated month-old marine mammal off the southeast coast of Vancouver Island.
Incredible video shows orca calf in Salish Sea, but is it good news for our J-Pod?
A baby Bigg's killer whale was spotted by whale watchers this month in the Salish Sea. The young calf was photographed by Ocean EcoVentures between April 4-15.
Washington governor set to sign order on orca protections
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is set to establish an executive order calling for state actions to protect the unique population of endangered orcas that spend time in Puget Sound.
State bills tackle threats to endangered Puget Sound orcas
SEATTLE -- With the number of endangered Puget Sound orcas at a 30-year low, state lawmakers want to protect the fish-eating killer whales that spend time in the inland waters of the Salish Sea.The measures range from boosting hatchery salmon production to increasing marine patrols so that boats keep their distance from the whales.Many have been sounding the alarm about the orcas' plight since the September death of a juvenile brought the population to 76.
It’s time to save our orcas, state lawmaker says
Time may be running out on local orcas.“We are now down to a record-low of 76 whales in the population,” state Sen.
Another young Puget Sound orca dies of starvation
A two-and-a-half-year-old male orca born in the so-called Baby Boom of 2015 died last week, researchers say.
VIDEO: Orcas hunt sea lion near San Juan Island
SAN JUAN ISLANDS -- Some incredible video shows an orca hunting a sea lion right here in Puget Sound.Traci Walter from Western Prince Whale Watching sent Q13 News this video taken Tuesday near San Juan Island.You can see a mother orca teaching her calves how to hunt.
'Whale protection zone' along San Juan Island? Feds get 850+ public comments
SEATTLE -- Would a "whale protection zone" on the western side of San Juan Island protect endangered Southern resident orcas from a constant barrage of boats that disrupt feeding, navigation and communication for the whales?Or, would a zone hurt the area tourist industry and local boaters, doing little to improve the fate of the whales as they struggle to find food?
Endangered Puget Sound orcas to get personal health records
SEATTLE (AP) — The endangered orcas that spend time in the waters off Washington state are among the most closely studied wildlife, and it's expected to get even more in depth.Wildlife veterinarians and other whale experts want to take the information collected about them and create personal health records for each southern resident killer whale.
Orcas expected to venture into south Puget Sound
SEATTLE -- Puget Sound orca pods with six babies are expected to venture south into Puget Sound for the fall and early winter.Whidbey Island-based Orca Network officials said Monday the killer whales are likely to start appearing from Admiralty Inlet to south of Vashon Island after spending most of the summer in the San Juan Islands and Georgia Strait.Officials say they typically travel that route chasing chum salmon runs.The Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor confirmed that a sixth newborn orca designated as J53 was spotted Saturday in Haro Strait.It's the sixth baby born to Puget Sound's three orca pods since December, boosting their numbers to 82.Southern resident orcas have been listed as endangered since 2005 and have struggled due to pollution and lack of food.Sherry Tarantino, the president of the board of Orcas Conservancy, said it's exciting the orcas are in the area, but greatly encouraged people to give the endangered animals their space.
Scientists bemoan SeaWorld decision to stop breeding orcas
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — While SeaWorld's decision to end its orca breeding program has delighted animal rights activists, it has disappointed many marine scientists.They say they will gradually lose vital opportunities to learn things that could help killer whales in the wild.SeaWorld's 29 captive orcas in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio will remain on display for perhaps decades to come and will be available in the meantime for study by outside scientists.But as their numbers dwindle, researchers will lose chances to collect health data and make other observations, such as drawing blood, measuring the whales' heart rates and lung capacity, and documenting their diets and their growth.
Concerns increase over crowds viewing orcas in South Sound
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Neighbors and whale experts are becoming concerned about the number of people trying to get a close look at the orcas that have wandered into Eld Inlet recently.The Tacoma News Tribune reports that boaters, kayakers and paddle boarders are flocking to see the orcas, but they're also crowding them.Kim Merriman, who lives on the inlet, says up to 20 boats or kayaks are out there at a time and when they get close to the whales, they sometimes separate the pod or trap them.Howard Garrett with Orca Network says people should follow the guidelines at bewhalewise.org when they see orcas.
Dead endangered orca died of blunt trauma, likely struck
SEATTLE (AP) — Officials in Canada say an endangered Puget Sound orca found off the coast of British Columbia died of blunt trauma to its head and dorsal side.The initial necropsy from Fisheries and Oceans Canada shows the 18-year-old male killer whale was alive at the time he was hit.Paul Cottrell, a marine mammal coordinator with the agency, said Friday that the 22-foot long whale was likely struck, though it's unclear whether it was by a boat or another animal.