‘It’s an end of an era’: Nearly 100-year-old orca missing, researchers believe 'Granny' has died
SEATTLE -- The iconic killer whale known to many as 'Granny' is missing and presumed dead; she is believed to be nearly 100 years old.It’s been a tough year for the endangered Southern Resident killer whales in Puget Sound.“Her passing is, of course, a loss,” said Scott West, executive director of Orca Relief Citizens’ Alliance. “She was the oldest known orca in existence.”
Bad breath: Study find array of bacteria when orcas exhale
SEATTLE — When the mighty orca breaks to the surface and exhales, the whale sprays an array of bacteria and fungi in its his breath, scientists said, some good, and some bad such as salmonella.The findings in a new study raises concerns about the potential role of infectious diseases as another major stress factor for the struggling population of endangered Puget Sound orcas.Those orcas' breath samples revealed microbes capable of causing diseases.
NOAA report: Orcas still struggling, 3 primary factors to blame
SEATTLE -- They are icons of the Northwest, but a decade-long study shows the orcas in the Puget Sound are still in trouble.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its research report Wednesday.
Orcas make early spring appearance in South Sound
SEATTLE -- Susan Berta of Orca Network reported on its Facebook page that K Pod had shown up in the Puget Sound Monday and were in the Narrows, past the Tacoma Narrows Bridge at about 4 p.m. Monday.