Philanthropist says bringing Tokitae home is 'a real possibility'

Talks of Tokitae, a captive orca held in Miami, returning to the Salish Sea are beginning again after a surprise rebound in health in recent days.

VIDEO: Orcas and humpback whales battle in the Salish Sea

The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) witnessed a bizarre event in the Salish Sea on Thursday, which appeared to be a dramatic battle between a group of orcas and a pair of humpback whales.

An oil spill comes to an end, is San Juan ready for the big one?

An oil spill off the west coast of San Juan island caused a lot of concern, but experts wonder whether the Salish Sea is ready for a big spill as traffic increases.

Oil spill clean-up hits new snag, as biologists raise killer whales concerns

An oil spill that began on Saturday reached a new phase on Monday, and divers were able to begin a plan to plug and recover any remaining oil that went down with the Aleutian Isle, a 49-foot vessel that sank off the west side of San Juan Island.

Excitement surrounds baby Southern Residents, as scientists fear 'dried up twigs' on family tree

Each new birth within the Southern Resident killer whale population is met with fanfare, and for good reason. The famed Southern Residents have been listed as an endangered species in both the U.S. and Canada. Their numbers were nearing 100 a few decades ago – lately the total population has hovered in the mid-70s.

First look at newest K Pod orca calf

On Saturday, the Center for Whale Research (CWR) photographed a new orca calf born recently to a pod of endangered Southern Resident orcas. 

New study says decrease in salmon threatens killer whales

Southern Resident killer whales have not had enough food for several years, which could affect their already small numbers, according to a study by the University of British Columbia.

Protecting Southern Resident orcas: What role do new regulations play?

As we approach July, whale watch boats are waiting to see whether they'll be permitted to approach any endangered Southern Resident orcas after stricter rules were put in place during the 2021 season.

Recreational boaters fined for getting too close to endangered Southern Resident orcas

NOAA has announced two fines for recreational boaters, including one – lowered to $2,700 after the boater admitted liability – after boaters were caught on camera operating too close to endangered Southern Resident orcas.

Newest J Pod calf is a female, offering hope for endangered Southern resident population

The Center for Whale Research confirmed on May 26 that the new calf born to the J Pod is a female, offering a glimmer of hope for the endangered Southern resident orca population. 

Noise pollution harms endangered orcas, scientists are rushing to find solutions

Scientists are rushing to learn more information about noise pollution in our local waters, while more vessels are projected to travel the Salish Sea in the coming years.

Research on noise pollution in Puget Sound underway

Work to track underwater noise pollution continues of Puget Sound as endangered southern resident orcas continue to struggle.

Saving PNW salmon may involve saving another fish too, scientists say

Hundreds of millions of dollars have gone into salmon recovery, and more work is needed. Now, scientists are asking the question: Could saving a smaller, less recognizable fish, be one of the keys to their recovery?

Possible new calf identified in K Pod, first since 2011

The Center for Whale Research (CWR) says it has been made aware of a video that shows what appears to be a young calf in the resident southern orca K Pod. 

Scientists are zeroing in on best practices to save endangered PNW salmon

It started with a simple question: Why are salmon dying in the Salish Sea? The answer, as it turns out, would pull scientists from 60 organizations in a variety of directions.