killer whales Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Another Puget Sound Orca Struggles, But 3 Others Are Pregnant

By John Ryan September 30, 2018

Drone photography reveals the bulging midriffs of pregnant orcas in 2015 and 2018. NOAA/SWFSC

The lean profile of the whale known as K25 is yet another sign of trouble for the region’s endangered orcas. Since last November, three members of the long-endangered population have died, most recently an emaciated young female known as J50. Continue Read More

Efforts Continue To Save ‘Critically Endangered’ J-50 Orca, But It May Be Too Late

By John Ryan September 13, 2018

Southern Resident killer whale J50 and her mother, J16, off the west coast of Vancouver Island near Port Renfrew, B.C., on August 7. CREDIT: BRIAN GISBORNE, FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

Officials in Canada and the U.S. are hatching a plan to temporarily capture and treat an emaciated orca. The young whale known as J-50 hasn't been spotted in nearly a week and could already be dead. Continue Reading Efforts Read More

Canadian Judge Halts Tar Sands Pipeline, Citing Impacts To Puget Sound Orcas

By John Ryan August 31, 2018

Canadian federal judge Eleanor Dawson said that regulators failed to consider the pipeline's potential impacts of increased shipping on Southern resident killer whales. CREDIT: CANDICE EMMONS / NOAA FISHERIES/NORTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

A Canadian federal judge has halted construction of a pipeline that would have sent more oil tankers through Washington waters. Continue Reading Canadian Judge Halts Tar Sands Pipeline, Citing Impacts To Puget Sound OrcasRead More

Can Washington Make A Plan To Save The Orcas?

By Eilís O'Neil August 8, 2018

Protesters call for the removal of dams on the Snake River to help salmon spawn — and consequently feed Puget Sound orcas. The protest came outside a meeting of the governor’s orca task force in Wenatchee on Tuesday. CREDIT: ELLIS O'NEILL/KUOW/EARTHFIX

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's orca task force met in Wenatchee this week to come up with a long-term plan to help the recovery of the orca population that spends much of its time in or around the Puget Sound. Continue Reading Can Washington Make A Plan To Save The Read More