Endangered Orcas: Southern Residents Story

The Southern Resident killer whales, beloved icons of the Pacific Northwest and considered the most-watched whales in the world, are teetering on the edge of extinction despite decades of research and focused conservation efforts. Each year, J-, K-, and L-Pods make their way back to the inland waters of Washington State and British Columbia, known as the Salish Sea, where they are recognized as individuals by scientists and whale watchers alike.

J2 Granny, who lost family members to captivity, went on to lead her pod for many years. The controversial satellite tagging of K25 Scoter has reshaped conservation efforts for orcas. The tragic death of L112 Sooke, a three-year-old whale found washed up on the outer coast with blunt force trauma to the head, remains shrouded in mystery.

From the capture era and the early days of killer whale research to the rise of whale watching and their status as an endangered species, the full chronicle of the Southern Residents is chronicled in this narrative. Our complex relationship with these whales, marked by both positive connections and negative controversies, has evolved significantly over the past five decades. As we face new challenges in the future, the looming question is: can we create a sustainable coexistence for humans and orcas in the Salish Sea?

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