Precious population of killer whales in peril
The Southern Resident killer whales are a unique but endangered population of orca. They are the subject of the worldβs longest running and most detailed survey of any sea mammal population. The forty years of data collected by the Center for Whale Research are a rich research resource for biologists exploring broad evolutionary questions. The Southern Residents are exclusive fish eaters (predominantly Chinnock salmon) and visit the Salish Sea area of western North America during summer and autumn to feed on large salmon. The Centerβs Ken Balcomb and Deborah Giles speak to Victoria Gill about the southern residentsβ decline and their fears for the whalesβ future.
Photo credit: Victoria Gill
Duration:
This clip is from
More clips from The Whale Menopause
-
The wisdom of post-menopausal killer whales
Duration: 04:09
-
The sex secrets of killer whales
Duration: 01:20