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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.