Southern Resident Killer Whales

A J-pod southern resident killer whale pictured in 2018 versus this year. Twelve J- and K-pod whales were deemed vulnerable by Washington state on June 30. (Courtesy of SR3 Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research/Washington state)

12 southern resident killer whales designated as ‘vulnerable’

The whales have been identified as pregnant or in poor condition

 

Washinton state has launched a website to get more people involved in the recovery of southern resident killer whales. (Photo courtesy of Ocean Wise)

Website dives into southern resident killer whale recovery progress

Washington state looks to include people in boosting endangered whale population

 

A screenshot from a YouTube video shot by John Goodell appears to show a very young calf (second from left) swimming alongside members of the southern resident killer whale’s K-pod. (John Goodell/YouTube)

VIDEO: First calf in a decade spotted swimming with K-pod off Oregon coast

YouTube video shows young calf swimming alongside southern resident killer whales

 

Measures have returned to protect southern resident killer whales in BC waters. Black Press Media file photo

Transport Canada introduces added measures to protect southern resident killer whales

The Canadian government is once again putting measures in place to protect…

Measures have returned to protect southern resident killer whales in BC waters. Black Press Media file photo
Measures have returned to protect southern resident killer whales in B.C. waters. (Black Press Media file photo)

Added measures return to protect B.C.’s southern resident killer whales

Transport Canada has announced a host of actions

Measures have returned to protect southern resident killer whales in B.C. waters. (Black Press Media file photo)
The most recent Bigg’s killer whale calf, T124A7, breaches the water alongside three adult members of the pod. (Karac Lindsay/Eagle Wing Tours, courtesy of Pacific Whale Watch Association)

2021 brought record sightings, many newborn whale calves to Victoria waters

Whale researchers report 21 new humpback calves in the Salish Sea

The most recent Bigg’s killer whale calf, T124A7, breaches the water alongside three adult members of the pod. (Karac Lindsay/Eagle Wing Tours, courtesy of Pacific Whale Watch Association)
The most recent Bigg’s killer whale calf, T124A7, breaches the water alongside three adult members of the pod. (Karac Lindsay/Eagle Wing Tours, courtesy of Pacific Whale Watch Association)

2021 brought record sightings, many newborn whale calves to Greater Victoria waters

Whale researchers report 21 new humpback calves in the Salish Sea

The most recent Bigg’s killer whale calf, T124A7, breaches the water alongside three adult members of the pod. (Karac Lindsay/Eagle Wing Tours, courtesy of Pacific Whale Watch Association)
Killer whales are shown in Chatham Sound near Prince Rupert, B.C., Friday, June, 22, 2018. The endangered southern resident killer whale population suffered more loss with one of the orcas possibly dying of cancer, says an expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward

Male southern resident killer whale possibly dead from cancer, says expert

K-21, also known as Cappuccino, was 35 years old and was distinctive with its broad dorsal fin

Killer whales are shown in Chatham Sound near Prince Rupert, B.C., Friday, June, 22, 2018. The endangered southern resident killer whale population suffered more loss with one of the orcas possibly dying of cancer, says an expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward
The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP file photo/Elaine Thompson)

WSANEC leadership council announces orca monitoring program

Program hopes to build knowledge, restore traditional relationship with the whales

The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP file photo/Elaine Thompson)
The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

WSANEC leadership council announces orca monitoring program

Program hopes to build knowledge, restore traditional relationship with the whales

The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
The Royal BC Museum exhibit begins by pulling visitors underwater, immersing them in the orca’s world. (Photo: Shane Lighter/Royal BC Museum)

Royal BC Museum exhibit dives into the world of orcas

Deep inside the belly of the Royal BC Museum’s much-anticipated new exhibit,…

  • May 4, 2021
The Royal BC Museum exhibit begins by pulling visitors underwater, immersing them in the orca’s world. (Photo: Shane Lighter/Royal BC Museum)
Southern resident orca calf J58, born to mother J41 in September 2020, is confirmed to be a female. (Photo by Jeanne Hyde/Center for Whale Research)

It’s a girl: Gender revealed of second orca calf born to J Pod last fall

Six-month-old southern resident orca J58 photographed from shore March 6

Southern resident orca calf J58, born to mother J41 in September 2020, is confirmed to be a female. (Photo by Jeanne Hyde/Center for Whale Research)
Calf L125, seen with mother L86, appears to be in good physical condition. (Photo by Dave Ellifrit/Center for Whale Research)

Researchers confirm new southern resident orca calf

L125 the first baby born to L Pod since January 2019

Calf L125, seen with mother L86, appears to be in good physical condition. (Photo by Dave Ellifrit/Center for Whale Research)
Southern resident killer whales in B.C. waters. Research shows the population’s females are more negatively influenced by vessel traffic than males. (Photo supplied by Ocean Wise Conservation Association)

Female orcas less likely to feed in presence of vessel traffic: study

Research the southern resident population raises concerns over reproduction capacity

Southern resident killer whales in B.C. waters. Research shows the population’s females are more negatively influenced by vessel traffic than males. (Photo supplied by Ocean Wise Conservation Association)
BIG SALMON ranch in Washington State. (Center for Whale Research handout)

Non-profit buys Chinook ranch in hopes of increasing feed for southern resident killer whales

The ranch, which borders both sides of Washington State’s Elwha River, is a hotspot for chinook salmon

BIG SALMON ranch in Washington State. (Center for Whale Research handout)
People will soon be able to vote on the “human” names of the two newly born calves of the Southern Resident killer whale population, J57 and J58. (The Canadian Press/ The Center for Whale Research)

Victoria residents can help choose names for two new baby orcas

Southern Resident killer whales J57, J58 born Sept. 4 and 24

People will soon be able to vote on the “human” names of the two newly born calves of the Southern Resident killer whale population, J57 and J58. (The Canadian Press/ The Center for Whale Research)
J Pod’s newest calf, born Sept. 24, 2020 surfaces next to mother J41. (Leaha Vanderwiel/Orca Spirit Adventures/Pacific Whale Watch Association)

PHOTOS: 2nd calf in a month confirmed among Southern Resident killer whale pod

Center for Whale Research said they will eagerly await to observe the calf to evaluate its health

J Pod’s newest calf, born Sept. 24, 2020 surfaces next to mother J41. (Leaha Vanderwiel/Orca Spirit Adventures/Pacific Whale Watch Association)
A New baby orca in the J-Pod of the Southern Resident Killer Whales was spotted off of the shores of Tofino by the Tofino Whale Centre (Photo credit: John Forde and Jennifer Steven)

Ottawa adds to protections for endangered southern resident killer whales

Areas of the Juan de Fuca Strait and Southern Gulf Islands will be closed for recreational and commercial salmon fisheries

A New baby orca in the J-Pod of the Southern Resident Killer Whales was spotted off of the shores of Tofino by the Tofino Whale Centre (Photo credit: John Forde and Jennifer Steven)
A southern resident killer whales surfaces Friday in Sooke harbour. (Kerrie Reay photo)

Orcas visit Sooke over the weekend

Killer whales, or orcas, are top predators and cultural icons of the Salish Sea

A southern resident killer whales surfaces Friday in Sooke harbour. (Kerrie Reay photo)
These Southern Resident orcas breached off the coast of Hat Island on Sept. 21, 2019. Professional photographer Bart Rulon caught them while on a Puget Sound Express whale-watching tour from Edmonds. (Bart Rulon/ BartRulon.com)

Southern resident orca L41 considered missing and feared dead

The orca was last spotted in Aug. 2019 when photographed in western Strait of Juan de Fuca

These Southern Resident orcas breached off the coast of Hat Island on Sept. 21, 2019. Professional photographer Bart Rulon caught them while on a Puget Sound Express whale-watching tour from Edmonds. (Bart Rulon/ BartRulon.com)