Conserving the Southern Resident Killer Whales

SCIENCE NEWS CONSERVING THE SOUTHERN RESIDENT SALMON 95% DIET KILLER WHALES Salmon account for a large portion of these northeast Pacific Residents' diet, with large, fatty Chinooks being a favorite. Chum salmon are also eaten, but are not a significant food item. Chinook 65% NOAA Fisheries will soon include Lolita, Miami Seaquarium's killer whale, in the endangered species listing for Southern Resident Killer Whales that spend much of the year in the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia. Their population was depleted between 1965 and 1975 because of captures conducted for marine parks, and their numbers remain low due to environmental factors such as pollution, oil spills and noise from passing vessels. OTHER Seagulls, Cormorants Seals, Sea Lions 5% Squid Chinook Salmon Beak Melon ORCINUS ORCA Length Up to 32 feet Weight Up to 10 tons Speed 35 mph Lifespan 29 yrs (male) 50 yrs (females) SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE POPULATION IN THE WILD Dorsal fin APEX PREDATORS 82 100 - Orcas are at the top of the food chain, vulnerable only to large sharks. They can tackle prey of all shapes and sizes, and often use a coordinated hunting 80 - 60 - strategy, working as a team like a pack of wolves. 40-i Listed as endangered 20 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 '13 The wide tail flukes work as a propeller when it swims at CRITICAL HABITAT* Vancouver Strait of Georgia British Columbia Vancouver Island (CANADA) high speeds Paddle- During the spring, shaped pectoral fins may be one-fifth their body weight summer, and fall months, the Southern Resident population Map Area Victoria Strait of Juan de Fuca can be found in the inland waters of Puget Sound and nearby waters. In the winter, they forage along the West Coast as far Caudal fins KILLER WHALES IN CAPTIVITY, 2010 CANADA USA Public say the absence of Orcas at marine parks would not affect their desire to visit Olympic Peninsula U.S. 23 71% south as central California. ORCA JAPAN 8. Puget Sound FRANCE SPAIN* Orcas who have WASHINGTON (U.S.A.) been taken into CANADA Seáttle -91% DIED captivity since 1961 ARGENTINA *Canary Islands GREAT 25 MILES Tacoma WHITE SHARK Olympia o *Nov. 2006 SOURCES: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Fisheries Science Center; The Encyclopedia of Animals; Smithsonian Handbooks Mammals; The Independent, UK; Animal Welfare Institute Graphic: Hiram Henriquez 3D model: Triduza Pacific Oce an