New lawsuit seeks protection zone for southern resident orcas
SEATTLE -- A new U.S. lawsuit filed Monday seeks to establish a whale protection zone for endangered orcas in the Pacific Northwest.The Center for Biological Diversity and the Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance sued NOAA Fisheries in U.S. District Court in Seattle, saying the agency has failed to act on a petition it filed in 2016.The petition sought to bar vessels from a 10- to 12-square-mile (26- to 31-square-kilometer) area west of San Juan Island where the orcas, called southern resident killer whales, feed from April through September each year.
SEATTLE -- A new U.S. lawsuit filed Monday seeks to establish a whale protection zone for endangered orcas in the Pacific Northwest.The Center for Biological Diversity and the Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance sued NOAA Fisheries in U.S. District Court in Seattle, saying the agency has failed to act on a petition it filed in 2016.The petition sought to bar vessels from a 10- to 12-square-mile (26- to 31-square-kilometer) area west of San Juan Island where the orcas, called southern resident killer whales, feed from April through September each year.
Endangered resident orcas return to inland waters after long absence
SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. -- A sight for sore eyes, the southern resident orcas appeared through the fog Thursday morning on the west side of San Juan Island.It's been 40 days since the endangered orcas were last seen in inland waters.
SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. -- A sight for sore eyes, the southern resident orcas appeared through the fog Thursday morning on the west side of San Juan Island.It's been 40 days since the endangered orcas were last seen in inland waters.
Both orca babies alive, all 3 southern resident pods spotted
SEATTLE (AP) — Researchers have documented that both babies in the southern resident killer whale pods are still alive.The Seattle Times reports researchers with the Center for Whale Research, which tracks the southern resident population, photographed both babies Sunday, alive and seemingly well.That was welcome news in a population of endangered orcas that dropped to just 73 this month, with three adults missing and presumed dead.
SEATTLE (AP) — Researchers have documented that both babies in the southern resident killer whale pods are still alive.The Seattle Times reports researchers with the Center for Whale Research, which tracks the southern resident population, photographed both babies Sunday, alive and seemingly well.That was welcome news in a population of endangered orcas that dropped to just 73 this month, with three adults missing and presumed dead.
Snake River dam spills up to 300 gallons of oil into river
LOWER MONUMENTAL DAM, Wash. -- Up to 300 gallons of oil may have spilled into the Snake River from a leaking, power-generating turbine at Lower Monumental Dam.On Friday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told Q13 News that, "any oil spilled into the river is too much."Lower Monumental Dam is about 40 miles northeast of Tri Cities.
LOWER MONUMENTAL DAM, Wash. -- Up to 300 gallons of oil may have spilled into the Snake River from a leaking, power-generating turbine at Lower Monumental Dam.On Friday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told Q13 News that, "any oil spilled into the river is too much."Lower Monumental Dam is about 40 miles northeast of Tri Cities.
3 southern resident orcas presumed dead, Center for Whale Research says
SEATTLE -- Three more of the critically endangered southern resident orcas have been declared dead by the Center for Whale Research.The center said Tuesday that an orca from each pod is being declared dead after long absences from Washington waters.The three whales are J17, K25 and L84.
SEATTLE -- Three more of the critically endangered southern resident orcas have been declared dead by the Center for Whale Research.The center said Tuesday that an orca from each pod is being declared dead after long absences from Washington waters.The three whales are J17, K25 and L84.
Poop-detecting dog helps sniff out key problems for endangered orcas
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The absence of southern resident orcas in inland waters this year is stalling the science researchers say help shape policy, but it also shows what they already know: There's not enough food -- and their poop proves it.Eba, a rescue dog owned by researcher Deborah Giles, has a nose for orca scat.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The absence of southern resident orcas in inland waters this year is stalling the science researchers say help shape policy, but it also shows what they already know: There's not enough food -- and their poop proves it.Eba, a rescue dog owned by researcher Deborah Giles, has a nose for orca scat.
High-tech, portable fish passage may revolutionize salmon transport over dams, barriers
SEATTLE -- In British Columbia, a devastating rockslide is blocking critical salmon habitat on the Fraser River.
SEATTLE -- In British Columbia, a devastating rockslide is blocking critical salmon habitat on the Fraser River.
It's a girl! Why the newest orca calf's gender is so important
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The newest southern resident orca calf is reportedly fat and healthy, but that's not the only news researchers are celebrating: She's also female.It's a great sign for the dwindling population that has seen far more male calves than females in recent years."If she makes it her teens she might start producing babies of her own," said Ken Balcomb of Center for Whale Research. "Unfortunately, none of them made it recently to their teens."Balcomb, looking at a photo of the new calf known as J56, indicated that the endangered population is obviously trying to repopulate.While the population has more than 70 whales, he said only about a third of them are of reproductive age.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The newest southern resident orca calf is reportedly fat and healthy, but that's not the only news researchers are celebrating: She's also female.It's a great sign for the dwindling population that has seen far more male calves than females in recent years."If she makes it her teens she might start producing babies of her own," said Ken Balcomb of Center for Whale Research. "Unfortunately, none of them made it recently to their teens."Balcomb, looking at a photo of the new calf known as J56, indicated that the endangered population is obviously trying to repopulate.While the population has more than 70 whales, he said only about a third of them are of reproductive age.
Southern resident orcas spotted in Salish Sea after 2-month absence
SEATTLE -- After an unprecedented absence, multiple sources confirmed to Q13 News that the endangered southern resident orcas are back in inland waters.
SEATTLE -- After an unprecedented absence, multiple sources confirmed to Q13 News that the endangered southern resident orcas are back in inland waters.
Southern resident killer whales missing from Salish Sea
SEATTLE -- An endangered species of killer whale, a normally common sight around this time, is missing from the Salish Sea, according to the Orca Behavior Institute.Southern Resident Orcas typically inhabit the waters of the state of Washington and British Columbia during spring and summer, but experts say the orcas haven’t been seen for two months.
SEATTLE -- An endangered species of killer whale, a normally common sight around this time, is missing from the Salish Sea, according to the Orca Behavior Institute.Southern Resident Orcas typically inhabit the waters of the state of Washington and British Columbia during spring and summer, but experts say the orcas haven’t been seen for two months.
Lummi Nation launches new campaign to save dwindling orca population
Members of the Lummi Tribe, along with activists and scientists, launched the Salish Sea Campaign this weekend to save the southern resident orcas and restore their home.
Members of the Lummi Tribe, along with activists and scientists, launched the Salish Sea Campaign this weekend to save the southern resident orcas and restore their home.
Orca task force celebrates new calf with renewed determination
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- On Monday's orca task force meeting, members celebrated the news of a brand new southern resident calf in J pod.Late last week, Canadian researchers spotted the calf for the first time.
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- On Monday's orca task force meeting, members celebrated the news of a brand new southern resident calf in J pod.Late last week, Canadian researchers spotted the calf for the first time.
New southern resident orca calf born
The JPod of southern resident killer whales has a new calf, marking the second birth for the endangered species in five months.
The JPod of southern resident killer whales has a new calf, marking the second birth for the endangered species in five months.
Inslee criticizes legislature over culvert funding
OLYMPIA -- After criticizing the state legislature for failing to fund court-mandated salmon habitat restoration, Gov.
OLYMPIA -- After criticizing the state legislature for failing to fund court-mandated salmon habitat restoration, Gov.
Lummi Nation wants to feed endangered southern resident orcas
SEATTLE -- Following news that two more southern resident orcas are struggling, one Washington tribe is calling on the federal government to help physically feed them.Lummi Nation calls the southern resident orcas qwe 'lhol mechen, which means our relatives under the water.
SEATTLE -- Following news that two more southern resident orcas are struggling, one Washington tribe is calling on the federal government to help physically feed them.Lummi Nation calls the southern resident orcas qwe 'lhol mechen, which means our relatives under the water.
Endangered orca J17's health in dramatic decline
SEATTLE -- The health of an endangered southern resident orca is in rapid decline, a stark reality captured by drone images this month.NOAA Fisheries first sounded the alarm on J17's health last September, but new aerials from May 6 show how much worse she has gotten since then.
SEATTLE -- The health of an endangered southern resident orca is in rapid decline, a stark reality captured by drone images this month.NOAA Fisheries first sounded the alarm on J17's health last September, but new aerials from May 6 show how much worse she has gotten since then.
Puget Sound dam jeopardizing salmon, endangered orcas
SOUTH KING COUNTY, Wash. -- The Green River is cut in half by two dams that keep adult salmon from going upstream to spawn and juveniles from migrating down to the ocean.
SOUTH KING COUNTY, Wash. -- The Green River is cut in half by two dams that keep adult salmon from going upstream to spawn and juveniles from migrating down to the ocean.
5 new laws aimed at recovering endangered southern resident orcas
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Among nearly three dozen bills Gov.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Among nearly three dozen bills Gov.
How the Legislature's budget impacts endangered southern residents
SEATTLE -- Q13 News spoke with Robb Krehbiel of Defenders of Wildlife regarding the proposed state budget and how it could impact endangered southern resident orcas.We heard from Krehbiel on the biggest takeaways from the budget, a Snake River Stakeholder task force and where the budget fell short in protecting orcas.Watch the full interview with Krehbiel above.
SEATTLE -- Q13 News spoke with Robb Krehbiel of Defenders of Wildlife regarding the proposed state budget and how it could impact endangered southern resident orcas.We heard from Krehbiel on the biggest takeaways from the budget, a Snake River Stakeholder task force and where the budget fell short in protecting orcas.Watch the full interview with Krehbiel above.
Lummi tribe releases salmon to endangered orcas in sacred ceremony
SALISH SEA, Wash. -- This month, Lummi tribal leaders released a single Chinook salmon into the Salish Sea as a spiritual offering to the starving, endangered southern resident orcas.The symbolic feeding was also a message to government leaders that more needs to be done to save them from extinction.
SALISH SEA, Wash. -- This month, Lummi tribal leaders released a single Chinook salmon into the Salish Sea as a spiritual offering to the starving, endangered southern resident orcas.The symbolic feeding was also a message to government leaders that more needs to be done to save them from extinction.