Experts prepare plan to capture ill orca J50 as last alternative
SEATTLE — Federal biologists said Wednesday they are preparing a plan to capture and treat a sick, critically endangered orca if there is no other way to save her in the wild.Officials said they will intervene and rescue the orca only if she becomes stranded or separated from the rest of her tightly knit group of whales.They want the 4-year-old orca known as J50 to survive in the wild and contribute to the recovery of southern resident killer whales, without putting the rest of the orcas in her pod at risk."We don't intend to intervene while she's with her family.
SEATTLE — Federal biologists said Wednesday they are preparing a plan to capture and treat a sick, critically endangered orca if there is no other way to save her in the wild.Officials said they will intervene and rescue the orca only if she becomes stranded or separated from the rest of her tightly knit group of whales.They want the 4-year-old orca known as J50 to survive in the wild and contribute to the recovery of southern resident killer whales, without putting the rest of the orcas in her pod at risk."We don't intend to intervene while she's with her family.
Experts weigh next steps, possible capture to save orca J50
Nearly two months after an international team of experts began taking extraordinary measures to save a young sick orca, the critically endangered whale is skinnier than ever.
Nearly two months after an international team of experts began taking extraordinary measures to save a young sick orca, the critically endangered whale is skinnier than ever.
Lack of laws, enforcement leave boaters in the dark around killer whales
The no-go zone would limit vessel noise in an area that is critically important to the endangered southern resident killer whales.
The no-go zone would limit vessel noise in an area that is critically important to the endangered southern resident killer whales.
New aerial photos of ailing orca J50 show 'worrying continuation' of decline in past month
NOAA Fisheries and its partner Sealife Response, Rehab and Research on Monday released new aerial photos of ailing local orca J50 to document a "dramatic decline in condition" between 2017 and 2018 and a "worrying continuation of this decline in the last month."
NOAA Fisheries and its partner Sealife Response, Rehab and Research on Monday released new aerial photos of ailing local orca J50 to document a "dramatic decline in condition" between 2017 and 2018 and a "worrying continuation of this decline in the last month."
Seattle's PCC market to stop selling chinook salmon to help orcas
Seattle-based PCC Community Markets says it will stop selling all chinook salmon products caught in Northwest waters to help critically endangered orcas.
Seattle-based PCC Community Markets says it will stop selling all chinook salmon products caught in Northwest waters to help critically endangered orcas.
Environmental groups sue Canadian government over endangered southern resident orcas
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Six conservation groups have filed a lawsuit over what they claim is the Canadian government's failure to protect endangered southern resident orcas.The lawsuit comes less than a month after J35, a mother orca, carried her dead calf for an unprecedented 17 days throughout Canadian and Washington waters.
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Six conservation groups have filed a lawsuit over what they claim is the Canadian government's failure to protect endangered southern resident orcas.The lawsuit comes less than a month after J35, a mother orca, carried her dead calf for an unprecedented 17 days throughout Canadian and Washington waters.
Sick orca J50 spotted alive after missing for days and feared dead, given another antibiotics injection
A young southern resident orca known as J50 is missing and biologists fear the sick whale may be dead, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said in a release.
A young southern resident orca known as J50 is missing and biologists fear the sick whale may be dead, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said in a release.
What's next for starving orca J50? 'If we do nothing, she will die'
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- Live salmon feeding and dart injections are two medication methods that had never before been attempted in the wild.But this month, we’ve seen U.S. and Canadian governments go above and beyond for one killer whale.Scarlet, or J50, is starving and might be sick."She is in a condition where if we do nothing, she will die," said Michael Weiss of Center for Whale Research.Scarlet is only 3 years old, but researchers fear she won’t make it to her fourth birthday this December.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- Live salmon feeding and dart injections are two medication methods that had never before been attempted in the wild.But this month, we’ve seen U.S. and Canadian governments go above and beyond for one killer whale.Scarlet, or J50, is starving and might be sick."She is in a condition where if we do nothing, she will die," said Michael Weiss of Center for Whale Research.Scarlet is only 3 years old, but researchers fear she won’t make it to her fourth birthday this December.
'Yeah, there were tears': Crew that followed orca's 'tour of grief' still reeling
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- It’s a distressing story that captured the attention of people far beyond the Northwest.
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- It’s a distressing story that captured the attention of people far beyond the Northwest.
Group sues Trump administration to expand protected orca habitat along West Coast
An environmental group sued President Donald Trump's administration Thursday to make officials move more quickly to protect the Pacific Northwest's endangered orcas.
An environmental group sued President Donald Trump's administration Thursday to make officials move more quickly to protect the Pacific Northwest's endangered orcas.
NOAA not sure if starving orca J50 ate salmon provided during trial feeding
Whale researchers working to save a sick and starving 3-year-old southern resident orca released live salmon into waters in front of the free-swimming killer whale on Sunday.
Whale researchers working to save a sick and starving 3-year-old southern resident orca released live salmon into waters in front of the free-swimming killer whale on Sunday.
Mother orca ends 'tour of grief' after 17 days; spotted feeding and frolicking
Researchers say an endangered killer whale that drew international attention as she carried her dead calf on her head for more than two weeks is finally back to feeding and frolicking with her pod.
Researchers say an endangered killer whale that drew international attention as she carried her dead calf on her head for more than two weeks is finally back to feeding and frolicking with her pod.
Orca mother carries dead calf for 17th day as it's 'starting to come apart'
Ken Balcomb with the Center for Whale Research said the southern resident orca J35 was spotted Thursday in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the south shore of Vancouver Island. She was still holding her dead calf, marking day 17 of her "tour of grief."
Ken Balcomb with the Center for Whale Research said the southern resident orca J35 was spotted Thursday in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the south shore of Vancouver Island. She was still holding her dead calf, marking day 17 of her "tour of grief."
Weather may prevent NOAA, Canada from medicating sick and starving orca
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- Rougher weather off the coast of Washington could hinder efforts to medicate a sick and starving southern resident killer whale.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have the authority to administer antibiotics to the sick and starving 3-year-old orca known as J50.
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- Rougher weather off the coast of Washington could hinder efforts to medicate a sick and starving southern resident killer whale.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have the authority to administer antibiotics to the sick and starving 3-year-old orca known as J50.
Starving orca J50 finally spotted alive; emergency action could start Wednesday
A sick and starving orca that had been off the radar since last week was spotted near the west end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Tuesday evening.Michael Milstein with NOAA Fisheries said J50 was seen with her mother, J16, which is a good sign.Earlier Tuesday, federal officials had said they received legal permission to move forward with the treatment J50.
A sick and starving orca that had been off the radar since last week was spotted near the west end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Tuesday evening.Michael Milstein with NOAA Fisheries said J50 was seen with her mother, J16, which is a good sign.Earlier Tuesday, federal officials had said they received legal permission to move forward with the treatment J50.
Orca mother still carrying dead calf, marking 16th day of 'tour of grief'
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- A southern resident orca mother is still carrying her dead and decomposing calf, more than two weeks after she was first spotted holding on to her offspring.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told Q13 News the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada spotted the orca carrying the calf Wednesday near the tip of the Olympic Peninsula.
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. -- A southern resident orca mother is still carrying her dead and decomposing calf, more than two weeks after she was first spotted holding on to her offspring.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told Q13 News the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada spotted the orca carrying the calf Wednesday near the tip of the Olympic Peninsula.
Feds granted permission to give antibiotics to sick, emaciated orca J50 at sea
Federal authorities on Tuesday said they received legal permission to move forward with the treatment of a sick and starving 4-year-old southern resident orca.
Federal authorities on Tuesday said they received legal permission to move forward with the treatment of a sick and starving 4-year-old southern resident orca.
Starving, sick orca not spotted since last week as NOAA readies unprecedented action
A starving and sick 4-year-old southern resident orca hasn't been spotted since last week, just as an unprecedented federal government plan to feed her live salmon awaits final approval.
A starving and sick 4-year-old southern resident orca hasn't been spotted since last week, just as an unprecedented federal government plan to feed her live salmon awaits final approval.
King County boat joins emergency effort to save emaciated orca J50
King County’s research vessel, SoundGuardian, has joined an emergency mission to help save the endangered southern resident orca population by bringing them food.
King County’s research vessel, SoundGuardian, has joined an emergency mission to help save the endangered southern resident orca population by bringing them food.
Feds weigh emergency plan to feed emaciated orca J50 at sea if needed to try to save its life
The federal government is assessing the health of the emaciated southern resident orca J50 and evaluating whether it should try an emergency plan to feed the killer whale live Chinook salmon dosed with medicine at sea, a NOAA official said Thursday night.
The federal government is assessing the health of the emaciated southern resident orca J50 and evaluating whether it should try an emergency plan to feed the killer whale live Chinook salmon dosed with medicine at sea, a NOAA official said Thursday night.