Individual treatment for ailing orcas? Veterinarians work on medical database
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The world watched over the summer as a three-year-old orca calf wasted away.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The world watched over the summer as a three-year-old orca calf wasted away.
2 more Puget Sound orcas predicted to die by summer
The region's expert on the demographics of the critically endangered southern residents says two more orcas are ailing and probably will be dead by summer.
The region's expert on the demographics of the critically endangered southern residents says two more orcas are ailing and probably will be dead by summer.
Landmark deal between BPA, states and tribes could mean better salmon survival rates
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Federal, state and tribal groups have agreed to a landmark deal allowing for flexible water spillover on Columbia River and Snake River dams, a compromise partners hope will save salmon and manage costs.The deal calls for increased spillover at dams for certain times of the day and year.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Federal, state and tribal groups have agreed to a landmark deal allowing for flexible water spillover on Columbia River and Snake River dams, a compromise partners hope will save salmon and manage costs.The deal calls for increased spillover at dams for certain times of the day and year.
Elwha dam removals: A river restored?
ELWHA RIVER, Wash. -- Four years after the largest dam removal project in history, the group in charge of restoring the Elwha shoreline is ready to open it up to the public.On Saturday, Coastal Watershed Institute is inviting the public to see firsthand the Elwha's progress as a free-flowing river.
ELWHA RIVER, Wash. -- Four years after the largest dam removal project in history, the group in charge of restoring the Elwha shoreline is ready to open it up to the public.On Saturday, Coastal Watershed Institute is inviting the public to see firsthand the Elwha's progress as a free-flowing river.
Orca task force member: We don't have resources, capacity to do everything
The governor's orca task force has put forward 36 recommended actions to save southern residents from extinction, but at least one task force member and state senator is warning the state probably can't do them all.
The governor's orca task force has put forward 36 recommended actions to save southern residents from extinction, but at least one task force member and state senator is warning the state probably can't do them all.
Agencies compete for state dollars to save southern resident orcas
RENTON, Wash. -- We now have the orca task force’s plan to save our southern residents from extinction but what we don’t yet know is how much the recommendations would cost.The fight over state dollars has already started, with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources asking for $90 million in the next two years for aquatic habitat restoration.Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said the orca deaths this summer have sent a message that more needs to be done to prevent extinction."This was the wake up call and it said time is running out," Franz said.She said the time is now to double down on restoring and protecting salmon habitat."We’ve done a lot of restoration protection throughout many areas, but I don’t think we’ve done it at the aggressive and significant scale that we need to," she said.That scale is spelled out in her latest budget proposal to the state legislature.In the last biennium, DNR requested $55 million for aquatic restoration.This biennium, they’re asking for $90 million, a 62 percent jump.The significant ask signals the beginning of a competition for state dollars to help the orca, and the looming decisions for the legislature on which agencies and nonprofits will best achieve the dozens of recommendations put forward by the governor’s orca task force."We’re saying that our agency is committed and ready to step up and we’re ready to deliver on our responsibilities at a heightened level so that we can protect those salmon and the orcas," Franz said.She’s met media on Bird Island at Gene Coulon Park in Renton to show what DNR's restoration dollars can do.
RENTON, Wash. -- We now have the orca task force’s plan to save our southern residents from extinction but what we don’t yet know is how much the recommendations would cost.The fight over state dollars has already started, with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources asking for $90 million in the next two years for aquatic habitat restoration.Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said the orca deaths this summer have sent a message that more needs to be done to prevent extinction."This was the wake up call and it said time is running out," Franz said.She said the time is now to double down on restoring and protecting salmon habitat."We’ve done a lot of restoration protection throughout many areas, but I don’t think we’ve done it at the aggressive and significant scale that we need to," she said.That scale is spelled out in her latest budget proposal to the state legislature.In the last biennium, DNR requested $55 million for aquatic restoration.This biennium, they’re asking for $90 million, a 62 percent jump.The significant ask signals the beginning of a competition for state dollars to help the orca, and the looming decisions for the legislature on which agencies and nonprofits will best achieve the dozens of recommendations put forward by the governor’s orca task force."We’re saying that our agency is committed and ready to step up and we’re ready to deliver on our responsibilities at a heightened level so that we can protect those salmon and the orcas," Franz said.She’s met media on Bird Island at Gene Coulon Park in Renton to show what DNR's restoration dollars can do.
Orca task force finalizes plan to save endangered southern resident killer whales
The state's southern resident killer whale task force handed its plan to save the endangered animals to the governor Friday.
The state's southern resident killer whale task force handed its plan to save the endangered animals to the governor Friday.
'Stressed and depressed' orca researchers reflect on deadly summer
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The year 2018 started with hope that help was on the way for the critically-endangered southern resident orcas.In March, Gov.
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, Wash. -- The year 2018 started with hope that help was on the way for the critically-endangered southern resident orcas.In March, Gov.
Orca task force to recommend moratorium on southern resident killer whale watching
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- The governor's orca task force will likely recommend a moratorium on whale watching the endangered Southern resident orca in the Puget Sound.The group voted on an action Tuesday that would "suspend viewing" of the endangered southern resident for three to five years.The action would prohibit all vessels in the Puget Sound from "watching" the marine mammals.
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- The governor's orca task force will likely recommend a moratorium on whale watching the endangered Southern resident orca in the Puget Sound.The group voted on an action Tuesday that would "suspend viewing" of the endangered southern resident for three to five years.The action would prohibit all vessels in the Puget Sound from "watching" the marine mammals.
How Snake River dam debate could affect your power bill
The future of four dams on the lower Snake River in Eastern Washington is still undecided after the latest draft from the governor's orca task force revealed members have yet to reach a consensus.
The future of four dams on the lower Snake River in Eastern Washington is still undecided after the latest draft from the governor's orca task force revealed members have yet to reach a consensus.
SEATTLE -- Gov.
Trump speeds up environmental review of Columbia River system and its effects on salmon
SEATTLE -- President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the government to speed up environmental reviews and streamline regulations that he says are hindering work on major water projects in the Western United States.The signed memorandum affects the timeline of a court-mandated review of the environmental impacts of the Federal Columbia River Power System.The Columbia and Snake rivers are home to 13 species of fish listed under the Endangered Species Act.
SEATTLE -- President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the government to speed up environmental reviews and streamline regulations that he says are hindering work on major water projects in the Western United States.The signed memorandum affects the timeline of a court-mandated review of the environmental impacts of the Federal Columbia River Power System.The Columbia and Snake rivers are home to 13 species of fish listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Calls to breach Snake River dams to save Northwest orcas grow louder
Calls to breach four hydroelectric dams in Washington state have grown louder in recent months as the plight of critically endangered Northwest orcas has captured global attention.
Calls to breach four hydroelectric dams in Washington state have grown louder in recent months as the plight of critically endangered Northwest orcas has captured global attention.
Orionid meteor shower peaks this weekend!
The Orionid meteor shower will peak Saturday night and Sunday morning (October 20 & 21).
The Orionid meteor shower will peak Saturday night and Sunday morning (October 20 & 21).
Snake River dams drive wedge between farmers and orca champions
Despite many improvements, the four dams along the lower Snake River in Eastern Washington still threaten the survival of endangered salmon that the critically endangered orcas eat.
Despite many improvements, the four dams along the lower Snake River in Eastern Washington still threaten the survival of endangered salmon that the critically endangered orcas eat.
Astronauts safe after rocket malfunction
NASA says that two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia are in good condition after an emergency landing in Kazakhstan following booster rocket failure minutes after the launch.
NASA says that two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia are in good condition after an emergency landing in Kazakhstan following booster rocket failure minutes after the launch.
Lower Snake River dams at center of debate to save endangered orcas 300 miles away
Without enough chinook salmon to sustain them, southern resident killer whales are starving in the Salish Sea. Some believe the answer lies 300 miles away. "Free the Snake" is their rallying cry.
Without enough chinook salmon to sustain them, southern resident killer whales are starving in the Salish Sea. Some believe the answer lies 300 miles away. "Free the Snake" is their rallying cry.
Scientists to sequence orcas' DNA in effort to save them from extinction
SEATTLE — A new scientific effort will sequence the genomes of critically endangered Pacific Northwest orcas to better understand their genetics and potentially find ways to save them from extinction.The collaboration announced Thursday involves scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest Fisheries Science Center, the nonprofit Nature Conservancy and BGI, a global genomics company.The project will sequence the genome — the entire genetic code of a living thing — of more than 100 southern resident killer whales using skin or other samples collected from live and dead orcas over the past two decades.
SEATTLE — A new scientific effort will sequence the genomes of critically endangered Pacific Northwest orcas to better understand their genetics and potentially find ways to save them from extinction.The collaboration announced Thursday involves scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest Fisheries Science Center, the nonprofit Nature Conservancy and BGI, a global genomics company.The project will sequence the genome — the entire genetic code of a living thing — of more than 100 southern resident killer whales using skin or other samples collected from live and dead orcas over the past two decades.
500,000 sign petition to breach Snake River dams in effort to save orcas
More than 500,000 people have signed a petition to breach the Lower Snake River dams in an effort to boost wild salmon recovery, putting pressure on state leaders to consider the controversial move.
More than 500,000 people have signed a petition to breach the Lower Snake River dams in an effort to boost wild salmon recovery, putting pressure on state leaders to consider the controversial move.
3 orcas dead, 1 starving: Task force's job increasingly 'urgent'
In March, Gov. Jay Inslee formed a task force to save the species from extinction. Since the task force's formation, three orcas have died.
In March, Gov. Jay Inslee formed a task force to save the species from extinction. Since the task force's formation, three orcas have died.