2007 "Update on the Southern Resident Killer Whale Population"
Wed, 12/19/2007 - 03:47 — Brett
There are three new killer whales born to the Southern Community Orca population in 2007 as whales returned to the San Juan Islands for the summer. After several weeks of careful observation of the southern resident killer whale pods in and around the San Juan Islands, the Center for Whale Research has confirmed three new calves, L-109, L-110, and J-43 born to the population.
For the last thirty two years, the Center for Whale Research has been documenting the killer whale pods that frequent the inland waters of Washington State and southern British Columbia. The center maintains both a photographic catalog of every individual as well as social structure of the entire population. This season the staff at the Center observed the SRKW (southern resident killer whales) population has increased. With the addition of three new calves, the total population for the southern community numbers 87.
The historical status of the Southern Resident Killer Whales
INSERT GRAPH HERE.
Factors that may play a role in the population decline include:
The southern community killer whale pods were captured on 13 separate occasions in the Puget Sound area between 1965 and 1976 with 45 reported whales taken for aquariums throughout the world and an additional 13 whales killed during the capture activities.
In recent years, as a result of over fishing & pollution, many salmon stocks have been dramatically reduced to dangerously low levels, with several species recently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Salmon is the main prey resource for the Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW).
High levels of Persistent Bio-accumulative Toxins (PBTs) including Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have been found in samples taken from recovered bodies of several members of the J and L-pods.
As a result of this listing, several governing bodies are now obligated by law to develop & implement a Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales'. If through this plan we can maintain & preserve the long term health of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, then the future is bright and sustainable.
For the last thirty two years, the Center for Whale Research has been documenting the killer whale pods that frequent the inland waters of Washington State and southern British Columbia. The center maintains both a photographic catalog of every individual as well as social structure of the entire population. This season the staff at the Center observed the SRKW (southern resident killer whales) population has increased. With the addition of three new calves, the total population for the southern community numbers 87.
- J pod, has 25 members
- K pod has 19 members.
- L pod, has 43 members
The historical status of the Southern Resident Killer Whales
INSERT GRAPH HERE.
Factors that may play a role in the population decline include:
The southern community killer whale pods were captured on 13 separate occasions in the Puget Sound area between 1965 and 1976 with 45 reported whales taken for aquariums throughout the world and an additional 13 whales killed during the capture activities.
In recent years, as a result of over fishing & pollution, many salmon stocks have been dramatically reduced to dangerously low levels, with several species recently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Salmon is the main prey resource for the Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW).
High levels of Persistent Bio-accumulative Toxins (PBTs) including Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have been found in samples taken from recovered bodies of several members of the J and L-pods.
The Future:
Even though the SRKW numbers appear to be stable and on the rise the passed few years (2002-07), they were listed on the Endangered Species List (November 2005)As a result of this listing, several governing bodies are now obligated by law to develop & implement a Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales'. If through this plan we can maintain & preserve the long term health of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, then the future is bright and sustainable.
