Southern Resident Killer Whale

• ‘Surprising’ study finds more fish may not be key to orca survival

  A key assumption about dwindling numbers of southern resident killer whales pins the blame on a lack of salmon, but a study out of the University of British Columbia has found they have twice the number of chinook available in summer as their much healthier cousins, the northern residents.

  Environment

  Oct 14
  
• Newest southern resident orca calf missing and presumed dead, research centre says

  The Center for Whale Research said it last spotted the pod on Saturday, and was able to photograph every member of the group except for new calf J60.

  Environment

  Jan 30
  
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• Toxic chemicals from oil spills, wildfire smoke found in B.C. killer whales

  The dangerous substances were found in the muscle and liver samples of six Bigg's killer whales and six southern resident killer whales, its endangered cousin. 

  Environment

  Dec 19, 2023
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• B.C. scientists scooping killer whale poop to search for DNA

  The work is underway at what the foundation describes as a "cutting edge" genetics lab in West Vancouver, shared with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 

  Science

  Dec 7, 2023
• Man accused of following, posing with B.C. orcas, DFO investigating

  Photographer TJ Campbell said he saw the orcas and rushed down to the beach to get some shots of the pod, when he noticed a man in an aluminum boat in the water near the animals.

  Environment

  Jul 5, 2023
• Federal approval of B.C. marine terminal faces dual legal challenges in Canada, U.S.

  Ottawa gave the green light to the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project last month, provided it meets hundreds of legally-binding conditions that minimize its risk to local ecosystems.

  Environment

  May 24, 2023
• Chemical pollutant used in toilet paper found in endangered orcas, study reveals

  The team also found the pollutants were transferred from mother to baby in a pregnant southern resident killer whale whose tissue was analyzed. 

  Environment

  Jan 12, 2023
• Sheen dissipates but sunken U.S. fish boat still in orca habitat east of Victoria

  No oil residue has been found on Vancouver Island and measures are being used to deter any whales from venturing near the wreck in a key feeding ground for southern resident orcas.

  Environment

  Aug 17, 2022
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• Sunken fish boat off B.C. shifts into deeper water, leaks fuel in key orca habitat

  The vessel, loaded with about 10,000 litres of diesel and oil, was originally resting in about 30 metres of water, but U.S. officials say it is now some 60 metres below.

  Environment

  Aug 16, 2022
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• Southern resident killer whales missing out on thousands of needed daily calories, study finds

  The average difference between the amount of energy the whales spent and the amount they could access is 28,716 calories, University of British Columbia research suggests.

  Environment

  Jun 27, 2022